Social Policy

14.3% of Canadians report having a disability. Canadians with disabilities are more than twice as likely to live in poverty than other Canadians. They face exclusion from quality education, from employment and from participation in their communities. CCD's Social Policy Committee provides leadership on addressing the social and economic exclusion of persons with disabilities.

Recent Work

June 20, 2018

Accessibility Legislation a Way for Canada to Realize Its International Human Rights Commitments

Today Canada’s disability community welcomes the tabling of the federal accessibility legislation, by Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, the Hon. Kirsty Duncan.  A key election promise in the 2015 election, Canadians with disabilities, nation-wide, have been deeply engaged in discussion about the new law for the past 18 months, and we are pleased that Minister Duncan has taken this important step before the House adjourns for the summer.   By doing this, we now have the summer to study the legislation and ensure that it meets the standards we have recommended to Government. In 2015, the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) responded to the promised law by making it known that the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which Canada ratified in 2010, provides a roadmap for the government to follow for the achievement of robust accessibility legislation that will significantly improve disabled people’s enjoyment of our human rights. “We have been clear from the beginning of the process that we have no appetite for a “light accessibility law,” states Jewelles Smith, CCD Chairperson, who went further to say: “This new law must be robust and comprehensive to achieve what it sets out to do and we look forward to the opportunity to review and work with Parliamentarians as needed to ensure this vital objective.” Read more.

April 17, 2018

NATIONAL DISABILITY ORGANIZATION DISAPPOINTED BY IMMIGRATION MINISTER'S RESPONSE ON EXCESSIVE DEMANDS CLAUSE

The Government’s announcement will increase the cost threshold for medical inadmissibility to 3 times the previous level, and amend the definition of social services by removing references to special education, social and vocational rehabilitation services and personal support services. Read more.

April 10, 2018

Disability and Immigration Rights Groups Call on Immigration Minister to "Do the Right Thing"

The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), Canada’s national coalition that is working for a more accessible and inclusive Canada, joins with migrant caregivers, HIV and human rights, and other immigration rights advocates to call on Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen to “do the right thing” and immediately introduce legislation to repeal sections of the Immigration Act that deny permanent residency to an entire family if a member of the family has a disability and deemed to pose an “excessive demand” on Canada’s health and social services system. Read more.

More on Social Policy

January 24, 2018

Not Much Real Change Coming to Canada Post Service

November 17, 2017

DISABILITY GROUP TO CALL FOR REPEAL OF DISCRIMINATORY PROVISION IN CANADA'S IMMIGRATION ACT

February 14, 2017

COLLABORATION: THE KEY TO ACCESS AND INCLUSION

December 17, 2016

Standing Committee's Report The Way Forward for Canada Post Contains Some Backward Elements

November 25, 2016

CCD Disappointed by Electoral Reform Bill C-33

November 21, 2016

Bill C-26: CCD Presentation to the Finance Committee on Enhancements to the Canada Pension Plan

Social Policy Archives