September 2024

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We remember the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, along with their families and communities. The pain of these experiences continues to this day.

We encourage everyone to take some time to reflect on the past and how we, as a country, can learn, understand, and take action.

For resources and ideas on how you can reflect, educate and act, we invite you to explore the following two links as great places to start: 

https://tinyurl.com/3nmwkec7

https://tinyurl.com/5btpeej3

A Major Update - Disability Rights Coalition Challenges Discriminatory Sections of Canada's Assisted Dying Law in Court

In collaboration with our dedicated partners—the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), Indigenous Disability Canada (IDC), and DAWN Canada —Inclusion Canada has officially launched a Charter challenge against the federal government's expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) under Bill C-7. We filed this challenge in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on Thursday, September 26th in Toronto.

We believe that the expansion of MAiD to include individuals whose deaths are not reasonably foreseeable discriminates against people with intellectual disabilities. Allowing assisted dying based solely on disability sends a harmful message that their lives are less valuable, undermining our ongoing efforts toward inclusion and respect.

We have fought this every step of the way and now we have taken our fight to the court system. This legal challenge is a significant step toward protecting the rights and dignity of people with intellectual disabilities and their families. It is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to fostering inclusion and ensuring that every person has the support they need to lead a full and valued life.

It was a long road to get us to this day of filing our Charter challenge and now the hard work of navigating the justice system begins. Thank you to everyone who has helped us to get to this point, your support, advice, and encouragement has meant a lot. Stay tuned.

Click here to read our press release. >

En français. >

Mark your Calendar! Join us for our Fundraising Event - HOPE!

We are excited to invite you to this special event on October 23, 2024!

This 45-minute virtual gathering is all about the power of coming together to build a more inclusive Canada.

We'll share inspiring stories, showcase our vision for the future, and highlight the difference your support can make. The event is free to attend, but your support is crucial. Be part of something truly impactful.

Invite friends, family, and colleagues—let’s make a difference together!

We can't wait to see you there!

Please RSVP by October 11th to Jason Carr Executive Director, Community Engagement and Development.

Inclusive Education Canada - The Source for Inclusive Education now available!

On Thursday, September 26 we hosted a launch event in Saint John, New Brunswick to unveil our new online resource hub, the Source for Inclusive Education. We are very excited to now make available this new on-line resource that provides teachers, school leaders, and parents with the foundational knowledge of inclusive practices in schools and classrooms that they need to move forward.

We are inviting everyone to visit and explore the site and share broadly within your networks and communities. We also would appreciate hearing from you about your impressions and experiences using this new resource.

Click here to access the site. >

15th Annual Policy Forum - Registration now Available!

Registration for our 15th Annual Policy Forum is now open! This year’s policy forum will focus on accessible and affordable housing.

On Day 1, we will look the current state of housing in Canada for people with an intellectual disability. We’ll discuss the barriers that prevent the creation of true inclusive housing. On Day 2, we’ll look at innovative housing solutions that promote real inclusion and talk about the steps we need to take individually and collectively to make this a reality.

This is a virtual event via Zoom webinar. It will be held in English & French. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided. English and French virtual CART services, ASL and LSQ will be available. To help us provide an accessible event, please indicate your accommodation needs when you register.

Click here for more info and to register. >

Our Federation - Provincial/Territorial Member Updates

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

• Inclusion BC recently developed an election guide for the upcoming 2024 provincial election. Have your say on October 19 and learn more about who your local candidates are, what they believe in, and what they will do if they are elected. Click here to access the guide.

• Association for Community Living Manitoba is looking for feedback for their assisted decision-making pilot project. If you're a Canadian who has a vested interested in the development of assisted-decision making practices and policies or a Manitoban who wants to influence recommendations for the policy, click here to learn more.

• The government of New Brunswick also recently announced a provincial election. Inclusion NB has developed their own election guide as well! Click here to access the guide.

• Inclusion NB has recently released their 2023-24 Impact Report. You can view the report in both languages here.