February 2025

Inclusion Matters

February 2025

Every February, Inclusion Canada joins our national initiative, Inclusive Education Canada (IEC), to celebrate National Inclusive Education Month.


In this edition of Inclusion Matters, we are featuring some ways we are working to build inclusive classrooms across the country where every student is welcomed and belongs.



Watch the recording of our webinar on Partial Day School Attendance!


On February 24, IEC Director Gordon Porter and Inclusion Canada CEO Krista Carr, were joined by a panel consisting of several leading experts and a parent, with experience, for an informative discussion on the issue of partial day school attendance in Canadian classrooms.


"Partial day” means repeatedly dismissing children from school with no access to education, an issue becoming increasingly prevalent nationwide. Lack of adequate supports and services or 'behaviours' are often cited as the reason why students with disabilities are not allowed to attend classes full-time.


We hope that the conversations from the webinar and conclusions from the report inspire action from the local to federal level to advance inclusive education and get all learners into regular schools where they belong.


The full webinar can be viewed in the link below:


Click here to watch. >


You can also access the full written report "Pushed Out: The Harmful Effects of Partial Day Schooling below:


EN: click here ->

FR: cliquez ici ->


Honouring leaders with the Distinguished Leadership Award


Also in the theme of Inclusive Education Month, on February 25, Inclusive Education Canada and Inclusion Canada honoured four amazing leaders in who have significantly moved the needle in our collective work to ensure full inclusive education for families, their children and all learners. 


Schools reflect and have an impact on the communities they serve. Inclusive schools are not just about placing students with diverse needs, including disabilities, into classrooms. It is about creating opportunities for all students to learn from one another as they build a community that values diversity, cooperation, and mutual respect.

Our heartfelt congratulations go out to Bruce, Diane, Jacqui, and Julie for this well-deserved recognition through the "Inclusive Education Distinguished Leadership Award". Thank you for all you continue to do. 💜

Inclusion Canada in Action


  • Inclusion Canada participated in an engagement session with Statistics Canada. We provided feedback about making Statistics Canada products and services more accessible and improving their inclusive employment practices.



It's Tax Season - Check out our Tax & Tips Blog!


It is tax time once again. We have written a useful blog containing helpful advice along with relevant resources as you start to gather your receipts and begin to prepare to file your taxes.


Remember that filing your taxes also opens the door to access other federal government financial supports. It is also one of the requirement in order to be eligible to apply for the new Canada Disability Benefit (CDB).


So if you need some help in filing your taxes, please read this blog.


Read our blog 👇

EN: Click here

FR: Cliquez ici

Breaking News: Deadline Extended for 2024 Charitable Donations!


Great news! The deadline for making charitable donations and benefiting from tax savings has been extended to February 28, 2025! That means you can still make a donation and include it in your 2024 tax return.


Here’s what this means for you:


  • Lower your taxes: A charitable donation can help reduce the taxes you owe.
  • Boost your tax refund: You may also be able to increase your refund by donating until the new deadline.


Ready to take action? Here are your options to donate:


  1. Cheque: Payable to Inclusion Canada, 20-850 King Street West, Oshawa, ON L1J 8N5
  2. Electronic Funds Transfer: Email donations@inclusioncanada.ca
  3. Credit Card: Click here to donate online
  4. Transfer Appreciated Securities: Donate appreciated securities to Inclusion Canada and receive a tax credit for the full market value while avoiding all or most capital gains tax! Email jcarr@inclusioncanada.ca for more details and to obtain a Securities Transfer Form for your financial advisor.


Don’t miss this opportunity to make a meaningful difference by supporting Inclusion Canada while enjoying tax savings. Take advantage of the extended deadline and make your donation today!


Click here to donate. >



$260,000 Raised - Volunteers needed for our upcoming virtual Ask Event!


On October 23rd, 2024, Inclusion Canada hosted our fundraising event, Hope. This event helped secure funds to support individuals and families. We are thrilled to share that it was a resounding success!


Over 200 people registered, raising an incredible $260,000. Sincere thank you to our master of ceremonies, Jack Carr, and also to Jason Green for leading our ask. At our event, Inclusion Canada’s CEO, Krista Carr, shared powerful reflections from the inclusion movement, highlighting both the challenges and triumphs we face, along with an overview of our current priorities. Guests were also moved by the inspiring stories of Jane, Nathan, Roy, and Cathy.


The success of this event was made possible by the generosity of donors and volunteers, such as:


  • $2,500 from Standen Abraham Advisory Group at Scotia Wealth Management,
  • $2,500 from The Azrieli Foundation,
  • $1,000 each from Durham Association for Family Resource & Support and BDO
  • $25,000 from a generous family foundation, and
  • $15,000 from Sephora.
  • 17 Inclusion Champions renewed or made new commitments.


Thank you all!


The event's impact will be felt across communities nationwide. We want to thank all our donors and our volunteers, including the 14 individuals who invited friends, family, and colleagues to join the event virtually. Special appreciation to three volunteers who hosted an in person 'Watch Party' in Lloydminster, SK bringing people together in their community to experience the event.


While this event was a tremendous success, we continue to have areas in urgent need of funding. To continue our critical work, we’re hosting a second fundraising event on May 14th. This event will help us as we continue to fight disability poverty, support families, tackle isolation, create inclusive employment, address ableism, transform healthcare, and protect lives.


The success of our next event depends on you! Your involvement could be key to shaping the next success story. Please consider volunteering for this short-term, high-impact role.


Click here to volunteer


Together, we can continue to create meaningful change!

Our Federation - Provincial/Territorial Member Updates


Did you know Inclusion Canada has a federation of 13 provincial/territorial and over 300 local member associations across Canada? In this section, you'll learn more about their work to advance inclusion across the country!


  • Inclusion BC has announced that the B.C. Ombudsperson's office launched a formal investigation into school exclusions in B.C. public schools. You can learn more about the situation and how you can help by clicking here.


  • Inclusion Alberta announced that they will host their family conference from April 11-12 at the Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton, Alberta. Learn more about the agenda and buy tickets here.


Upcoming Dates & Events



March 8 - International Women's Day

March 21 - World Down Syndrome Day

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