Bill C-7 is a matter of life and death for persons with disabilities

 By Nicolas Rouleau   PHOTO: CAMPAIGN LIFE COALITION By cavalierly hurrying through Parliament and limiting debate on legislation to expand access to assisted suicide in Canada (Bill C-7), the Canadian government is fast-tracking the deaths of persons with disabilities. Up until now, medical assistance in dying (MAiD) has been limited to

Let your voices be heard — advice on advocating for yourself and others

 There’s been an increase in people protesting and speaking out against injustices. I’ve personally attended rallies for Black Lives Matter, Violence Against Women, and for ODSP, and many others. I’ve also organized a few rallies for better service for Para Transpo users. Through Social Media, it’s become easier for others

Equality for persons with disabilities on the line in new assisted dying legislation

 By Catherine Frazee A consequential law is proceeding swiftly in Parliament, but mostly under the radar of Canadians with a lot on our minds these days. Bill C7 will amend our current medical assistance in dying (MAiD) law by creating a separate pathway to assisted death for persons who are

Persons with disabilities deserve a basic income

 By Evelyn Forget and Sheila Regehr Will the newly announced Canadian Disability Benefit get us there? Last month’s Throne Speech committed to the creation of a new Canadian Disability Benefit for persons with disabilities – that’s good news. The details remain vague, but some disability advocates have long championed a

COVID-19 shows support for home care long overdue

 By Kelli Stajduhar, Tanya Sanders The global pandemic of COVID-19 has brought long-standing gaps in the Canadian care system sharply into focus, particularly for older adults who cannot live independently. As we collectively grasp the enormity of the troubling living conditions for Canada’s residents of long term care, and the

The Dawning of a New Age for Persons with Disabilities in Canada

 The recently proposed Accessible Canada Act and the just released Senate report on essential fixes for Revenue Canada concerning the disability tax credit, Breaking Down Barriers are stellar achievements for advocates with disabilities and the receptive politicians and public servants who listened. If both are implemented, they will remove the

The Politics of Heat Waves

 This week, Ottawa survived our highest recorded temperatures ever. The humidex in Ottawa on Canada Day was 47, and has remained in the forties most of the week. All around the world, the heat has reached incredible heights this summer. In Scotland, a new high of 33 Celsius was recorded.