Season's Greetings and Happy New Year!

December 17, 2021

Dear Council Members, Member Groups, Committee Members, Allies:

This is a season of celebration and reflection and like many others, we at CCD have a lot to think about as well as much to celebrate.

The COVID-19 pandemic created many challenges for our community and we will be dealing with these in the years ahead. In our midst are people with new disabilities that they have acquired as a result of having had COVID. There will be a greater need for the work that is being done by our community to create an equitable, accessible and inclusive Canada. This is happening at a time when our groups are stretched both financially and capacity-wise. Yes, there are challenges and there always are. Our disability culture has shown us how to be innovative, resilient problem solvers.

We also have cause to celebrate. CCD is building back better.

Through our Transition Project we have been modernizing our organization: we added Member-at-Large positions to become more inclusive, the Executive Committee is being assisted by a Finance Committee, a Human Resources Committee and a Technology Committee. Old friends and allies are re-engaging with us; new friends are joining with us. We are reaching out to other leaders in the disability community to work collaboratively on various positive initiatives.

Below are messages from members of the CCD Executive team:

“If you want to go fast go alone; if you want to go far go together. Now, at CCD we are moving together and we are going to go far in our efforts to create an equitable, accessible and inclusive Canada created by the many voices and viewpoints of our intersectional community. I want to thank everyone involved in CCD for their hard work this year and I look forward to going far with you in 2022 and beyond.  Happy Holidays to everyone.” ~ Heather Walkus, Acting Chair, 1st Vice Chair.

"Thank you for everything you do nationally and in your home province. I look forward to connecting with you on our Governance work over the coming year to build up CCD's effectiveness. May this season and the year to come bring you the best.” ~ Tracy Odell, 2nd Vice-Chair.

“It is the holiday season and the dawn of a new year, a new year can bring new changes and new ideas, on behalf of myself, and the Executive Committee of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, we extend happiness and peace throughout this season and all year round.

Thank you to the staff, the member organizations, and the strong citizens living with disabilities for continued support and input. You are very valued.

As one, we are a voice, as two, we are a concern, as a group, we become an action.

Happy Holidays!” ~ Ian Young, Secretary.

Pat Danforth has visions of not sugarplums but debits and credits. She is very busy balancing our books but she takes time off from that task to say,

“Wishing everyone a happy holiday season and all the best in the New Year,” ~ Pat Danforth, Treasurer.

“As the holidays approach, may the magic of the holiday season fill your home with joy and peace. Best wishes for happy holidays and a magnificent New Year. Take care of yourselves and stay safe,” Frank Folino, Member-at-Large on Executive Committee.