May 2026

Webinar - Accessing Disability Benefits Together: National Navigation Services in Action

Do you have a disability? Do you need help applying for federal benefits and programs?

Join Indigenous Disability Canada and Inclusion Canada for a free National Accessibility Week webinar.

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

6:00pm-7:30pm Eastern

Zoom webinar

More information and registration here: https://www.inclusioncanada.ca/page/accessing-disability-benefits-together

The webinar will be in English. French interpretation, ASL, LSQ, and English and French captioning will be provided.

REMINDER: Barrier-Free Benefits Program

A reminder that our program, Barrier-Free Benefits, is available!

This program offers FREE, one-on-one help with disability benefits. Our Navigators can help you apply for benefits like:



• Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
• Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
• Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)
• Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
• ... and others.

The team can also provide general information and advice on filing your taxes and links to free services. We’ll walk you through the process — from start to finish.

Visit our website for more information on the program, how to contact our navigators, and the various programs they provide assistance with.

We encourage you to share our program information widely within your own circles and networks!

EN Website >

FR Website >



Canada's Assisted Suicide Law Has Gone Too Far

90 Disability and Mental Health Organizations Oppose Expansion of MAiD for Mental Illness 

More than 90 disability and mental health organizations from across the country are registering their concerns about the further expansion of Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) law.

The groups are opposed to MAiD access being widened to people whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness. They have shared this position in an open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Justice Minister and Attorney General Sean Fraser, and Health Minister Marjorie Michel. The letter was copied to the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (AMAD) comprised of MPs and Senators.

Inclusion Canada is one of the signatories to the letter. People with disabilities and mental illness who face poverty, housing insecurity, social isolation, and barriers to timely health care need help and hope — not MAiD.

Please share this letter with your local Member of Parliament and Senator and urge them not to expand assisted suicide and also repeal the discriminatory Track 2 pathway to MAiD that is only for people with disabilities.

Please see the letter:

EN --> https://bit.ly/4uvCFbv

FR --> https://bit.ly/4nLEhLE

Media release: https://www.inclusioncanada.ca/post/canada-s-assisted-suicide-law-has-gone-too-far



Save the Date - 17th Annual Federal Policy Forum on Inclusion

Save the date for our 17th annual federal policy forum! This year, the theme will be "From getting by to getting ahead: Eliminating poverty and building financial stability." The event will take place on December 3 from 9 AM - 4PM, at Le Palais de congrès de Gatineau in Quebec.

Stay tuned for more details and registration links but we wanted you to have the date in your calendar in advance.

Celebrating Frank Fagan's 10 Years of Service

At our staff meetings earlier this month in Fredericton, we celebrated a beloved employee for his contributions and dedication to inclusive employment. 

Congratulations to Frank Fagan who has reached 10 years service with Inclusion Canada. Based in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Frank is assistant national director with the Ready Willing and Able (RWA) Program.

RWA is a highly successful national initiative that increases the labor force participation of people with intellectual disabilities or on the autism spectrum. RWA engages, educates and supports employers in hiring people while also supporting job seekers in their pursuit of meaningful employment by connecting them with community agencies and services.

RWA is a partnership with Inclusion Canada, the Autism Alliance of Canada and their member organizations.

Presenting Frank with a gift of thanks is Inclusion Canada CEO Krista Carr. 

Thank you Frank for your leadership and uplifting spirit.

Inclusion Canada in Action

• Inclusion Canada Policy Analyst, Rachel Mills, delivered an Introduction to Plain Language webinar for Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA). Her presentation explained what plain language is, why it matters, and who it benefits. She offered tips and strategies for writing in plain language and making communication more accessible.

• Our organization met with various Parliamentarians during the month of May to share our national public policy priorities impacting persons with intellectual disabilities and their families. One such discussion was with Victor Boudreau of the Independent Senators Group.

Inclusion Canada in the News

Inclusion Canada was among 90 disability and mental health organizations that wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Carney and other Federal Parliamentarians urging them not to expand access to Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying. CEO Krista Carr and staff Kurt Goddard and Danny Soucy spoke with various media outlets, including The Canadian Press. Here are CP’s English and French stories.

EN --> https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/inclusion-groups-sign-open-letter-calling-on-ottawa-to-halt-maid-for-mental-illness/article_b7b0767d-ebb0-5d96-bd6c-bd0ecd28086e.html

FR --> https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/sante/2026-05-26/troubles-mentaux/des-associations-demandent-l-arret-de-l-extension-de-l-aide-medicale-a-mourir.php

Our clear message resonated with the editor of The Lethbridge Herald who offered this thoughtful commentary:

https://lethbridgeherald.com/news/lethbridge-news/2026/05/28/disability-mental-health-groups-push-back-on-planned-maid-expansion/

Inclusion Canada also commented on recent changes to the Federal Disability Tax Credit application process. Krista said the measures were a positive step and will help some individuals. She urged government to go even further and do more to reduce the high levels of poverty experienced by persons with disabilities. Here is a thorough discussion with the CBC.

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-83-shift-nb/clip/16212600-disability-tax-credit

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!

• If you are finding it challenging to navigate supports for a child with medical complexities, or would like to learn more about accessing services and overcoming barriers to inclusion, please join Inclusion BC for a presentation and conversation on navigating barriers for children with medical complexities. The event will take place on June 17 from 6-8PM virtually. Register here.