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Great News on the Federal Election Front

Oct 05, 2015

Maple leaf

 

We are pleased to share the great news on the federal election front: three of the five major parties running in the federal election have now committed to introducing a Canadians with Disabilities Act if they form the next government.

The Liberal Party of Canada made this commitment earlier today: http://www.liberal.ca/realchange/a-new-health-accord/

On September 29, 2015, the NDP made the commitment to:

- Introduce a Canadians with Disabilities Act which will seek to eliminate systemic barriers that Canadians with disabilities face;

- Develop a National Action Plan to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;

- Work with provinces, territories, indigenous communities and disability organizations to review and coordinate income supports; and

- Defend the rights of Canadians with disabilities by reinstating the Court Challenges Program and fixing the CPP disability appeals process.

The Green Party promised to support passage of the Canadians with Disabilities Act earlier in the campaign.

The only two major parties in this federal election that have not yet pledged to support passage of a Canadians with Disabilities Act are the Conservative Party of Canada and the Bloc Quebecois.

This remarkable progress has been made possible by the exceptional work of Barrier-Free Canada. While Barrier-Free Manitoba endorsed their efforts, we cannot take any of the credit. The many involved with Barrier-Free Canada have worked tirelessly to get these commitments. We extend our earnest thanks and hearty congratulations.

This wonderful progress demonstrates yet again the major difference disability communities can make when we work together.

With only 2 weeks left before voting day, a lot of work still remains. We encourage you to get involved. And the best place to start is using the handy dandy Barrier-Free Canada 2015 Federal Election Action Kit. Check it out.

On the provincial front, Barrier-Free Manitoba has been busy working on two major plans to advance disability rights in Manitoba in 2016 and beyond. We look forward to sharing information on these two developments soon after the federal election.

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