January 2025

Inclusion Canada's 2024-2025 Priorities

Do you want to know what work Inclusion Canada will focus on this year around federal policy? Building an Inclusive Future: National Priorities for the 2024-25 Federal Agenda, details what we are doing to advance the full inclusion of people with an intellectual disability and their families.

In addition to our ongoing work seeking changes to medical assistance in dying (MAiD), this year we are focused on four other major priorities:

1. Enhancing financial security: lifting adults with disabilities out of poverty
2. Transforming communities: fostering the building of inclusive homes and supports for everyone
3. Strengthening families: support children and youth with disabilities
4. Investing in inclusive employment opportunities

Click here to read our full priority document. >

Canada Disability Benefit - the Fight is Not Over

The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is at a critical point.

Inclusion Canada joins a coalition of national disability organizations calling on the government of Canada to guarantee the CDB by March 7.

If the CDB regulations are not finalized before a potential federal election is called, we risk further delaying the start of this urgently needed disability benefit.

You can make a difference.

Click here to send a personalized email to the Ministers responsible for getting the CDB across the finish line and your Member of Parliament.

With enough public support, we can still make this happen.

Learn more here and support our campaign. >

Partners for Planning Disability Tax Credit Online Webcast

On February 4 at 7:00 pm EST, Partners for Planning (P4P) will host a free online webcast about the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). The webcast will detail how the DTC can reduce the taxes a person with a disability will pay and how they can benefit from new federal programs like the Canada Disability Benefit.

The webcast includes a live Q&A with the panellists.

Click here to learn more and register. >

February is National Inclusive Education Month

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

Throughout the month, IEC will promote some major projects and initiatives that have been in the works for some time. We will be sharing these announcements on social media and in the February edition of our newsletter, so please tune in on X and Facebook for details!

Read more about National Inclusive Education Month here. >

Pictured, left to right is Jeff Ferguson of Inclusion Canada receiving a cheque from Ariana Kokkinakis and Angela Ferro, both from the Maids of Athena chapter in Ottawa.  

Inclusion Canada receives support from Maids of Athena

Inclusion Canada was pleased to receive a generous gift from the Maids of Athena District 23 with chapters in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, and London.

The Maids of Athena is an international philanthropic organization and the junior auxiliary to the Daughters of Penelope. The organization empowers young women by promoting Hellenism, education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, and individual and family excellence.  

We are very fortunate to receive this $2500 gift, and we extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the young women of this incredible organization who chose Inclusion Canada as their annual major gift recipient. This support will greatly benefit children and adults with an intellectual disability and their families.

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. >

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 recently released the final report of their Community-Led Collaboration Project. The project engaged British Columbia communities to design and host community conversations for service providers, people with disabilities and support needs (up to age 19), and their families. Participants discussed their needs, wants, hopes, and expectations for better services and supports. Click here to learn more.

• The government of Alberta announced that they would be cutting $500,000 in funding to Inclusion Alberta, which will have a long-term impact on their ability to support people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families. Read more here.

• Inclusion Alberta recently released 2 reports detailing the wait times many people with developmental disabilities are facing in the province to get adequate supports and services. The reports are in response to the absence of publicly available government data and the growing number of individuals and families reaching out to Inclusion Alberta for support. Learn more here.

• Community Living Ontario announced they will host their First Annual Family Conference from May 31 - June 1, 2025. The conference will be held in person simultaneously in 6 locations across the province, connected to each other via Zoom. More details to follow!

• Inclusion New Brunswick released a video detailing their work in creating opportunities for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and how they support families to create inclusive lives. Watch the video here.