June 2024

Inclusion Matters

June 2024

Canada Disability Benefit - Hear From Who it Impacts


Inclusion Canada has expressed our dismay and frustration at the government's federal budget announcement, which allocates a maximum of only $200 per month for the new Canada Disability Benefit (CDB). This amount is significantly lower than what was recommended by the community and far from sufficient to meet the needs of people with disabilities living in poverty.


We recently launched a social media campaign which features several of our current and former board members expressing their opinions on the proposed CDB. It's clear from them that the CDB will not help anyone in its current state. Explore the links below to watch all four videos.


We have also released our updated policy brief. Click below to find the full brief, a two-page info sheet, and a plain language version.



Click here to access our updated vision and design for the Canada Disability Benefit. >


Pour accéder à la version française, cliquez ici. >


We expect the draft regulations on the CBD to be released publicly by the federal government very soon. The public tabling of these regulations are the next phase in the development of the Canada Disability Benefit. They will contain the government's intentions on eligibility rules, who qualifies, how one can apply, the calculation of the benefit amounts, and other important elements.


There will be a public period to provide feedback on these draft regulations. Stay tuned for more information on this process. We will submit our reaction and recommendations. You will be able to as well.



Inclusion Canada at the United Nations!


From June 11-13, Inclusion Canada staff and leadership attended the 17th session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP) at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Robin ActonKrista CarrKurt Goddard, and Tara Levandier were part of the the Canadian civil society delegation and spoke at various events regarding Canada's implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).


Check out our blog post for details about our participation at COSP. >

In the video above, Board Past President, Robin Acton addresses the United Nations General Assembly, encouraging all nations to support the full inclusion of people with an intellectual disability and their families in society.


“We want Canada to be a place where people with disabilities can afford a good life, not a state-funded death.” - Robin Acton

Inclusion Canada hosted a side session at this year's COSP. "Legal Capacity without Borders: the International Impact of Canada's Legislative Advances in Supported Decision-Making," details the work that Inclusion Canada and our international partners are engaged in to maximize a person with disability's right to determine the course of their own life and to make their own decisions.


You can watch the webinar above, or click here. >


Pour la version française cliquez ici. >

Inclusion Canada in Action


  • This month, Senior Policy Analyst Rachel Mills participated in 2 roundtable discussions about the modernization of the Employment Equity Act. She shared ideas and suggestions to make sure the updated Act supports the full inclusion of people with an intellectual disability.


  • Last month, Inclusion Canada Executive Vice President, Krista Carr, attended Inclusion BC's Annual General Meeting.



Tiny Home Communities: Innovation or Segregation?


There's a housing crisis in Canada. In response, several Canadian provinces are developing tiny home communities for vulnerable populations, including the unhoused and people with disabilities.


In this article, Senior Policy Analyst Rachel Mills discusses how the best of intentions can lead to harmful outcomes in the development of housing solutions.


As Canadians, we have a responsibility to understand our history of segregated housing for marginalized groups and prevent further harm in the future by building truly inclusive communities.


Click here to read the blog post. >

Partial Day Attendance in Canadian Schools: an Inclusive Education Canada Roundtable


On June 21, Inclusive Education Canada invited a panel of informed and insightful Canadians to discuss the issue of partial day attendance in schools and identify the actions that can lead to change.


Partial day attendance refers to the practice of forcing students with intellectual disabilities to attend school for only part of the day. This is a common practice across Canada, and can disrupt a student's learning, hinder academic progress, and cause feelings of isolation due to missed classes.


Leading experts on inclusive education are calling on provincial/territorial governments to abolish partial day attendance in favour of truly inclusive education practices.


The roundtable was fortunate to be joined by Mr. Kelly Lamrock, K.C, the New Brunswick Child and Youth Advocate. Mr. Lamrock recently released a very powerful report on the issue entitled "A Policy of Giving Up".


You can access the report here. >


Click here to watch the round table. >


Inclusive Education Canada is also conducting a survey on partial day school attendance and parents experience. If you have encountered this for your child we would really appreciate a few minutes of your time to provide your feedback in a very short survey.


Click here to access the survey. >

Inclusion Canada in the News

CMHA, Courage to heal and feel: Men's mental health matters

The Ricochet, Canadians with disabilities remain locked in 'legislated poverty,' and many want to die

Policy Options, the Disability Tax Credit needs immediate reform


Upcoming Dates & Events

July 1 - Canada Day (Inclusion Canada offices closed)

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