Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the following statement today on International Day of People with Disabilities:

“Today, in this International Day of People with Disabilities, we renew our commitment to building an accessible future in which people with disabilities have every opportunity to thrive. We also celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities in Canada and around the world.

“More than 6.2 million Canadians have disabilities, and many of them are disabilities that go unseen. People with disabilities face discrimination, have many extra expenses and often face obstacles that prevent them from finding meaningful and well-paid employment. We recognize that there are different forms of disability – physical, sensory, cognitive or mental illness – and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Regardless of people’s needs, however, the Canadian government is committed to making our country more accessible and inclusive for all.

“We launched the first one this fall Disability Inclusion Action Plan in Canada, which provides specific programs and policies and essential investments to improve the lives of people with disabilities, including achieving financial security, finding or keeping a job, and being able to participate fully in life. The action plan has been developed in partnership with the disability community and addresses their top priorities. The government has also introduced unprecedented legislation. Bill C-22, the Canada Disability Benefits Act, was introduced to Parliament this summer and recently passed the second reading in the House of Commons with unanimous approval. This benefit aims to reduce poverty among people with disabilities of working age and increase their financial security. By the end of the year, we will take an important step toward making Canada’s public service the most accessible and inclusive in the world with the release of accessibility plans for all federal public services. These plans will help prepare Canada’s largest employers and service providers for the future so we can have a federal public service that truly resembles the people it serves.

“Around the world, Canada continues to protect and promote the rights of people with disabilities, including in international fora such as the United Nations, the World Health Organization and the Global Action on Disability Network. Earlier this year, Canada supported the election of Dr. Laverne Jacobs to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. She was the first Canadian ever to sit on this committee.

“When everyone can contribute fully to their community, everyone wins. Additionally, we can build stronger communities when people with disabilities have equal job opportunities, receive the same quality of service from their government, and have access to the supports and programs they need to enjoy the same quality of life as everyone else, we can build stronger communities, a stronger economy and a stronger country. Today, and every day, I encourage all Canadians to work together to make our country a more inclusive, just, and accessible place. »