Posted: Tuesday, 1 December 2009

On March 30th, 2007 Canada’s government signed onto the United Nations Convention on Persons with Disabilities.

Later that same year, in the Speech from the Throne, the government gave itself a pat on the back:

“Our Government believes that focus and action, rather than rhetoric and posturing, are restoring our influence in global affairs. Guided by our shared values of democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law, our Government will continue Canada’s international leadership through concrete actions that bring results.”

Yet more than two years later, the federal government has failed to follow through and ratify the Convention it signed on behalf of all Canadians.

Once more, Canada's signature on an international agreement seems to carry little meaning. The promise of “actions that bring results” has become lost in endless inter-provincial discussions and the absence of any real national plan.

Communities and workplaces that are neither accessible nor inclusive continue to take their toll on Canadians living with disabilities. Far too many continue to live in poverty and with high levels of unemployment and underemployment.

More than 55% of working-age adults with disabilities are currently unemployed or out of the labour market. For women with disabilities the rate is almost 75%.

The jobs are there. The workers and the skills to get those jobs done are there. Making that work accessible and inclusive is the challenge. Leadership from government is required.

The Canadian government has already agreed to make sure people with disabilities have better access to training, education and accommodation at work. Ensuring people are able to take advantage of these opportunities requires a broader approach.

A labour strategy for people with disabilities means more than accessible and inclusive workplaces, training and work practices. It also means ensuring people with disabilities can get to work, interact with other workers, and live independently.

Above all else the federal government needs a plan; whether this means increasing EI sick benefits, changing the tax system to help people with disabilities, or working with other levels of government to build accessible and affordable housing or accessible and affordable public transit.

What can the federal government do?

• Improve disability supports to enable independent living, active citizenship and full participation;
• Greater federal involvement in alleviating poverty for people with disabilities and their families (which frees up provincial dollars for new investments in disability supports);
• Help people with disabilities find quality work with better labour force inclusion measures;
• Encourage all Canadians to work for accessibility and inclusion; and
• Work with provincial and territorial governments and First Nations towards a national social development role for the federal government to promote accessibility and community inclusion.

Will the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities become yet another bounced cheque, another international broken promise?

Let's hope not. It's time for the federal government to deliver on its promise. It's time to ratify the Convention and show Canadians a plan that outlines the federal government's role in building a more inclusive and accessible Canada – one we can be proud to show the world.