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Abilities magazine articles
All articles are available below. You can narrow your focus to Canada or to a smaller region by using the drop-down menus, above.
Government issues
- A Call to Combat Poverty and Exclusion of Canadians with Disabilities by Investing in Disability Supports
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The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) and the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) are calling on the federal government to take principled and committed leadership in Budget ...
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Access to Information
Internet Site Aims to Improve Quality of Life -
People with disabilities – as well as their families and caregivers – are finding it easier to gain access to all kinds of useful ...
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Accessible Transportation and You
The Questions Get Answered -
Q. What does the Canadian Transportation Agency do? A.The Canadian Transportation Agency operates the Accessible Transportation Program. The Agency is a quasi-judicial body consisting of up to ...
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Accessible Transportation Directorate
Removing Barriers to Transportation -
The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) is a quasi-judicial tribunal which acts to achieve accessible transportation, offering help to both the transportation industry and travellers with ...
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Accessing the Electoral System
Making It Easier for Voters with Disabilities -
A federal election is a major undertaking, with strict requirements for precision, security, confidentiality and accessibility. The Canadian electoral system has long been recognized as a model ...
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Advance Consideration
An Interview with Dr. Bruce Halliday -
During his 18 years in the Canadian Parliament, Dr. Bruce Halliday has been a cutting edge pioneer for the equality and empowerment of people with disabilities. His vision for a society that values ...
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All Aboard... Except People with Disabilities
An Overview of Transportation in Canada -
Refused trips. Broken promises. Health risks. Damaged equipment. Safety concerns. Inaccessible information. These are some of the discriminatory situations that confront travellers with ...
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An Essential Force
The Government’s Will to Act -
Report from the Task Force on Disability Issues (The federal Task Force on Disability Issues released its report, "Equal Citizenship for Canadians with Disabilities: The Will to Act," on ...
- An Interview with the Honourable Monique Landry
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(On January 4, 1993, The Honourable Monique Landry was appointed Secretary of State, and became responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities in Canada. She was recently interviewed by ...
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An Open Letter from Andy Scott, M.P.
Chair of the TaskForce of Parliamentarians on Disability Issues -
Dear ABILITIES readers: I welcome this opportunity to tell you about the Federal Task Force on Disability Issues. The Task Force is mandated to report on the future role of the Government of ...
- And Now, a Word from the Opposition
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(COPOH Communications Officer) At the time of this writing the forthcoming federal election hasn’t even been called yet and, from a disability point of view, it has already presented several ...
- And Now...We Take You to Your Leaders...
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Dear ABILITIES Readers: I welcome this opportunity to speak to you directly and to invite your collaboration in ensuring a prosperous and happy future for all Canadians. The elimination of ...
- Associations Gain New Clout As Governments Seek Power Partners
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The April/May 1993 issue of Association Magazine quotes Chris LeClair, director of research for the Study on the Role of Associations commissioned by Industry, Science and Technology Canada: ...
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Budget 2000 and People with Disabilities
The Issues for Presentation -
The annual Finance Minister’s budget speech in February, is the occasion when the federal government varies its resource allocations -- when it adds to, establishes or cuts programs. The ...
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Building on Ontario’s Strong Tradition of Local Action on Accessibility
A Message from the Minister -
Many "Abilities" readers read of my appointment as Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship six months ago. What many of you may not know is that I have held elected office at both the provincial ...
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Canada Gazette
A Channel to Electronic Democracy -
Since 1841, the "Canada Gazette" has encouraged a democratic dialogue with Canadians. It has informed them of proposed and enacted regulations and Acts of Parliament, and, equally ...
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Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits
A CCD Perspective -
The Canada Pension Plan (CPP), established in 1966, is a social insurance plan providing retirement income to Canadians and financial assistance for workers with disabilities and for the families of ...
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Canada’s Electoral System
Making It Accessible -
Over the past decade, Elections Canada has worked to remove physical and administrative obstacles from the federal electoral system and to ensure full access to information about it. As well, on four ...
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Canada, Stand Proud
Award Recognizes the Direction of Our Progress... Thus Far -
This spring, Prime Minister Chr‚tien accepted the Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) International Disability Award on behalf of Canada. This award is presented annually to a nation making noteworthy ...
- Catalyst for Change
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Changing the course of public policy is about as difficult as turning the great ship Queen Mary around, it’s often been said. Yet, that is the daunting task the Premier’s Council on the Status of ...
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CCD Election Challenge
Creating an Accessible Canada -
CCD challenges people with disabilities and our allies to bring the 7 priority issues to the attention of ...
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CCD Election Challenge 2004
What Canadians with Disabilities need -
The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) challenges Canada’s political parties and candidates running in the next federal election to support the equality of persons with disabilities. CCD’s ...
- CCD Establishes Social Security Reform Principles
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At its semi-annual meeting, June 27, the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) established the principles for social security reform against which it would measure the government’s Options ...
- Closing the Accessibility Gap
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Accessible transportation in Canada has come a long way over the years. Now it’s moving into its most exciting and rewarding phase -- implementation. The goal of Transport Canada’s ...
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Coalition of Provincial Organisations of the Handicapped
Employment Agenda for Persons with Disabilities -
EMPLOYMENT AGENDA FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES BY COPOH EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE The facts are undeniable. Persons with disabilities are excluded from the Canadian labour market. Although 15.5% of ...
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Council of Canadians With Disabilities
A Post-Election Thought...and Hello -
A POST-ELECTION THOUGHT...AND HELLO In reviewing the late, federal election campaign, some folks might wonder if organizations of consumers with disabilities got all they might have when, as ...
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CPP Disability
A Program on the Move -
With more than 280,000 clients and payments exceeding $2.5-billion annually, the Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD) program is Canada’s largest long-term disability program. Managing a program of ...
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Dismantling the Barriers
What’s the Right Legislative Model? -
For nationally-oriented disability organizations and agencies, the question of laws which systematically and routinely dismantle access barriers is again centre stage. This re-interest (there ...
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Early Client Contact
An Update on Our Pilot Approach -
In an article that appeared in the Spring issue of ABILITIES magazine, we told you about the improvements being made to the way the Canada Pension Plan Disability program is being delivered to over ...
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Effective Partnerships in Action
Remarks from Honourable Pierre S. Pettigrew, Minister of HRDC -
In Ottawa on October 20, 1997, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada Pierre S. Pettigrew addressed the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) and guests at the CCRW Board of ...
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Election Brings Key Issues Forward
MS Society Focuses on Income Security and Supports -
During the recent federal election, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada put seven key questions in front of the parties and ...
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Elections Canada
Making Voting Accessible -
Raymond D. Cohen interviews Jean-Pierre Kingsley, the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, about Elections Canada’s role in the upcoming election. RC: Perhaps you could start by telling us a ...
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Employment Barriers still Exist
Canadians with Disabilities Still at the Losing End of Work Force Statistics -
Last fall, the federal government introduced a strategy to help integrate people with disabilities into Canadian society. "In Unison: A Canadian Approach to Disabilities Issues" was ...
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Enhancing Participation
Federal Support for Research on Integration -
How can the participation of persons with disabilities in Canada’s economic and social life be enhanced? Human Resources Development Canada is supporting six new research projects that will ...
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Erosion of Access
CCD Takes a Stand on Transportation in Canada -
In January 2005, the following letter was submitted to Hon. Jean Lapierre, Minister of Transport, by the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD). Mr. Minister: At your Advisory Committee ...
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Everybody Agrees: It’s Time For Action
Full and Equal Participation of the Disability Community is the Order of the Day -
The plethora of reports concerning persons with disabilities has mounted during the last few months. Three of these documents, produced by parliamentarians, the federal government, and the disability ...
- Federal Budget 1995
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In the 1995 budget, The Hon. Paul Martin and the Liberal government have set a new course for social service development in Canada. The federal government will no longer be the champion and protector ...
- Federal Court of Appeal grants VIA Rail's appeal
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In March 2005, the Federal Court of Appeal granted VIA Rail’s appeal of the Canadian Transportation Agency's decision that ordered VIA to modify its recently purchased, inaccessible passenger ...
- Federal Election Candidate
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Sam Savona of Toronto, Ontario, is running for a Member of Parliament position in the upcoming federal election as an NDP candidate for the Lawrence-Eglinton riding in Ontario. As a political ...
- Federal Government Slashes Programs for People with Disabilities
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The Facts: - Revenue Canada cut 10,000 people from the Disability Tax Credit. We’re now being forced to make repayments. - Parks Canada has eliminated its accessibility budget. The ...
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First Off...
I Would Like to Offer a Personal Thank You... -
First off, I would like to offer a personal thank you to Professor Stephen Hawking for his participation in Lisa Bendall’s article "To Boldly Go..." (p.5). Professor Hawking has become ...
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Fixing Up Parliament Hill
Access to Government Just Got Easier -
Read about some accessibility developments in our nation’s capital... with a willingness on the side of the bureaucrats, not just the advocates, to make our Parliament Buildings barrier ...
- Flying High
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Air travel has become more accessible to persons with disabilities, thanks to the commitment of the federal government, the transportation industry and advocacy groups. Their shared expertise and ...
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Focusing on the Future
In Conversation with Ken Dryden -
Canadian Abilities Foundation president Raymond Cohen talks to the Honourable Ken Dryden, Minister of Social Development, about the Charter, employment rates and other issues of importance to the ...
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FPT…
It’s Not an Automotive Oil Supplement! -
FPT (or f/p/t) stands for federal/provincial/territorial. Unless you’ve been following the fortunes of federal social policy discussions as applied to Canadians with disabilities carefully over ...
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From Concept to Reality
Self-Employment Assistance Pilot Project for People with Disabilities -
Imagine someone earning a master’s degree in Social Work and gaining 12 years of employment experience as a counsellor and administrator in clinical and community-based settings. Then imagine this ...
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From Talk to Tactics / De la parole Ŕ l’action
Moving Forward on The Government of Canada Disability Agenda / Avancement du plan d’action du -
The past few decades have brought about significant changes to the way we view disability and the approach to providing programs and services. The 1996 Federal Task Force on Disability Issues -- ...
- Good Questions
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On May 16, 2006, more than 32.5 million people in 12.7 million households across Canada will participate in the 2006 ...
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Government of Canada Information
Making It Accessible to All Canadians -
Universal accessibility to Government of Canada information is fundamental in providing all Canadians with the answers and information they need. In fact, accessibility has been one of the key ...
- Halliday Speaks
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(BRUCE HALLIDAY IS THE MP FOR OXFORD AND THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE STATUS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES). There’s no denying that for the past ten years, the ...
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Hide and Seek
Nutrition Labelling for Canadian Food -
Physicians, nutritionists, dieticians and health magazines all remind us that we should watch what we eat. Most of us would be healthier consuming less fat, less sodium, less sugar, and more fibre, ...
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HRDC Opportunities Fund
An Excellent Partnership -
His rehabilitation behind him, Andy geared up to return to work in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. An ODSP (Ontario Disability Supports Program) Employment Support Specialist told Andy about the ...
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In Conversation with Sam Sullivan
Raymond Cohen Talks to Vancouver's Mayor About Politics, Disability Issues and the 2010 Paralympic -
Raymond Cohen Talks to Vancouver's Mayor About Politics, Disability Issues and the 2010 Paralympic ...
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In Conversation with the Honourable Monique Vezina
Minister of State Responsible for Seniors -
Disability increases with age. In Canada, 7% of children under 15 experience some level of disability, compared to 14% of adults aged 35 to 54 and to 46.3% of those aged 65 and over. Seniors, ...
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In the New Millennium
A New Hope for the New Reality -
If there was one lasting image of the global millennium celebrations, it was not the fireworks, spectacular as they were. It was not that the world did not come to a grinding halt because of Y2K ...
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In Unison
A Post-Discussion Prescription -
Here’s what’s happened to national disability policy and issue discussion since the creation of the Social Union Framework Agreement. It has become absolutely impossible to predict things ...
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Is It a Mess? Is It a Barrier?
...Yes, and It’s Also HRDC -
Since 1993, the federal department designated to maintain the lead on disability issues has been Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). As everyone now knows, HRDC’s grant practices were called ...
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Jump-Starting a Grand Vision
What Some MPs Think of the Past Five Years -
We come to one of those proverbial "end-of-an-era" affairs on March 31, 1996. That auspicious date will mark the passing of the five-year, federal initiative called the National Strategy ...
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Liberal Minority Government
A New Opportunity for Canadians with Disabilities -
The Liberal government of Paul Martin has been returned to power without a majority. For Canadians with disabilities, this may present a new opportunity for progressive ...
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Looking for Work?
Here Are Some Letters of Introduction... www.worksearch.gc.ca -
Looking for work takes energy, perseverance and current information from a reliable source. WorkSearch is just that source. WorkSearch -- a new, easy-to-use Internet site designed to guide ...
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Making Their Mark
Vancouver Politicians Tim Louis and Sam Sullivan -
Tim Louis and Sam Sullivan belong to opposing political parties, but they have a lot in ...
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Masonry, and Information Access Equality
Our Recommendations for Federal Policy -
For those battling the information deficit faced by people who cannot use print, it almost seems as though good news is becoming the order of the day. Big corporate software manufacturers, such ...
- My Word!
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So much to say... and so very little space in which to say it! So here, briefly, are some of the things worth mentioning that did NOT make it as articles in this issue of ABILITIES -- but are still ...
- My Word!
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Welcome. You will find within this issue our usual dog’s breakfast -- a little something for nearly everyone. A few articles in particular, however, warrant specific mention. We are pleased ...
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Our Liberal Leadership
Five Years into It, and Where are We? -
It’s been five years since the Liberals assumed the federal leadership. Where do we stand? Canadians with disabilities on fixed incomes are poorer now in purchasing power than when the Liberals ...
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Partnetships in Action
Retail Customer Service Youth Internship Program Provides Young People with Real Job Experience -
It’s common knowledge. Finding a job in the 90s is a difficult task. Corporations are downsizing, and the public sector is shrinking. Young people with disabilities are finding it even harder to ...
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Percy Wickman
A Giant of a Man -
Former Alberta MLA Percy Wickman made political history when he defeated the premier of Alberta, Don Getty, in 1989. But this was just one moment in a lifetime of victories; as his son points out, ...
- Plan to Make a Difference
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Every so often an event takes place in our country that brings with it opportunity for meaningful change. The federal election gives us a chance to select our leaders for the next four years -- and ...
- Play about Gary Malkowski
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Gary Malkowski made history when he was elected to serve in Ontario’s parliament. As an NDP Member of Provincial Parliament, he was the first culturally Deaf person (using sign language to ...
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Power of the People
Opportunities under a Minority Government -
The disability community has struggled for over a decade to have our voices heard and acted upon at the federal level. Indeed, since the 1990s, we have all been caught in the middle of unravelling ...
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Priorities, Productivity & Partnerships
Pursuing our Vision in the New Economy -
For months now, Statistics Canada and other respected forecasters and economists have reported that the recession is over. However, there has been so little positive economic news during the same ...
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Public Supports Barrier Removalpublic Supports Barrierremoval
But New Federal Cabinet Doesn’t Show Leadership in Disability Issues -
After the swearing-in of the federal cabinet during the second week of June, you might have the impression that every conceivable corner of interest to Canadians is more than adequately covered ...
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Pursuing Equity
A Project of the Equity and Access Committee in Ontario -
The following has been extracted from the "Pursuing Equity" report of the Ontario Premier’s Equity and Access Committee, February, 1995. The Equity and Access Committee of the ...
- Questions for Inclusion
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ABILITIES recently approached the leaders of the three major political parties involved in the upcoming federal election and offered them an opportunity to communicate their views on disability ...
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Ralph Klein’s Bad "Political Sense" Day
The Rights that Were Almost Removed -
Between 1928 and 1972, 2,844 child and adult Albertans were forcibly sterilized under legislation called the Sexual Sterilization Act. Leilani Muir was a former resident of Red Deer’s Provincial ...
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Re-entering the Work Force
VRS Program Provides Assistance and Security -
The Canada Pension Plan has established a Vocational Rehabilitation Program, delivered across the country through Human Resources Development Canada offices. This program offers selected Canada ...
- Recommendations for Change
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The Liberal Task Force on Issues Affecting Persons with Disabilities lists 20 recommendations for Canada’s new government. During the Liberal landslide victory of October 25th, Beth Phinney ...
- Reflections On Being Thrown Out of Parliament
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(John Feld is one activist who is not afraid of taking a little personal risk, so long as the cause is right. On Wednesday, September 9th, he and a group of people with disabilities from Ontario made ...
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Sam Savona
What a Candidate! What a Campaign! -
Sam Savona didn’t win a seat in the June 2 federal election. He didn’t even come close. Sam received fewer than 10 per cent of the votes cast in his Toronto riding. Why, then, did his ...
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Self-Employment as a Career Option
Assistance for Entrepreneurs -
This is the story of three very determined people with disabilities who have participated in the Self Employment Assistance (SEA) program in Toronto. The program is funded by Human Resources ...
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Sign of the Times
Gary Malkowski in Profile -
New Democrat MPP, Gary Malkowski, was elected to the Ontario Legislature last summer. The 32 year old represents the Toronto riding of York East and serves as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister ...
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Social Policy Reform Paper
Strong on Principles, Short on SpecificsC -
CCD gives high marks to "Agenda: Jobs and Growth," the Hon. Lloyd Axworthy’s discussion paper, for appropriately analyzing the disadvantaged position of persons with disabilities in Canada. ...
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Social Security Reform
What does it mean for Canadians with Disabilities? -
"We need to build a social security system that works for people. It should create opportunity, not dependence. It should invest in people, not programs. It should encourage mutual ...
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Taking Action on Youth Employment
New employment strategy will give young people the experience they need. -
More than 110,000 young Canadians will get work experience from the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy. This announcement was made on February 12 by Hon. Pierre S. Pettigrew, Minister ...
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Task Force Update
From an Observer Perspective -
As an observer to the Federal Task Force on Disability Issues, I travelled across the country during August and September to hear from people with disabilities about what role and responsibility the ...
- Thanks for the Feedback
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Thanks for the feedback! I’m glad that you’re finding the information in ABILITIES useful. I was particularly pleased at the extent of interest in our interview with Dr. Bruce Halliday and the ...
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The Will to Act?
The Need for a Disability Lens in Canada -
The report by the Federal Task Force on Disability Issues entitled "Equal Citizenship for Canadians with Disabilities -- The Will to Act" was hailed in 1996 as better than all previous ...
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The Blame Game
Competing with the Private Sector -
The message is clear. Governments will not give more money to community agencies that assist people with disabilities. Why? Because these agencies aren t making the best use of the money governments ...
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The Changing Workplace
Committee Seeks Input as it Explores New Issues -
Alfonso Gagliano, the federal Minister of Labour, is spearheading the Collective Reflection on the Changing Workplace. This is a process to explore the issues emerging from the changing workplace, ...
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The Community Has a Voice
In Conversation with Elaine Ziemba, Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship -
RC: In the recently tabled budget for the province of Ontario, conspicuous by its absence was any direct reference to disability issues. Are there initiatives included that will directly or ...
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The CPP Disability Pension Plan
Just Something More to Worry About -
Remember a year back when Lloyd Axworthy engaged in a spot of minor tinkering with Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) disability payments? The result was that, in April, 1995, CPP recipients with ...
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The CPP Disability Program
Reaching Out to Canadians -
The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability Program is the single biggest disability benefit program in Canada. Many Canadians do not know a lot about the CPP Disability Program - and we are out to ...
- The Deficit Made Me Do It
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(COPOH’s Research Analyst recounts how one affiliate spent a few mad moments after its annual pre-conference banquet.) Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "Yeah, the government should cut ...
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The Evaluation is Complete
The National Strategy for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities -
The National Strategy for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities (NSIPD) was established by the federal government in 1992 to mark the end of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons. This ...
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The HRDC Audit
There are No Winners! -
"The aftermath of last year’s audit of some grants and contribution programs at Human Resources Development Canada is an example of a wind from which no good has come. All those involved ...
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The HRDC Website
Information You Need -- When You Need It -
The Internet is quickly changing the way we communicate with others and the way we seek information. Its impact on our society probably outweighs that of the Industrial Revolution. However, have you ...
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The HRDC Website
Information you need -- when you need it -
The Internet is quickly changing the way we communicate with others and the way we seek information. Its impact on our society probably outweighs that of the Industrial Revolution. However, have you ...
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The Missing Block
Education is Critical for Full Citizenship -
"In Unison: A Canadian Approach to Disability Issues" is a discussion paper that has been brought forward by the federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for social ...
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The National Strategy
What’s New? -
As you may recall, in the last issue we promised to tell you about the work being done under the National Strategy for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities. What follows are some highlights ...
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The Opportunities Fund
Integration into the Workplace -
Announced in the 1997 federal budget, the Opportunities Fund helps persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain and keep employment or self-employment. The Opportunities Fund supports a broad ...
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The Process of Politics
Getting Involved to Create Change -
Throughout the country, people with disabilities in the social service system are punished for working, surrounded by a web of disincentives so destructive that large numbers of us are now unemployed ...
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Thirty Dollars, Please
Manitoba Thinks About Social and Medical Cutbacks -
I was shocked when the woman behind the desk demanded 30 dollars. After all, I was at my neighbourhood health clinic, not the grocery store. Yet, in very short order I was informed that the ...
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Tournes vers l'avenir
Entretien avec Ken Dryden -
Le président de Canadian Abilities Foundation, Raymond Cohen, s’est entretenu récemment avec l’honorable Ken Dryden, ministre de Développement Social Canada, pour discuter de la Charte, des taux ...
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Transport Canada
Let’s Get Accessible Transportation Rolling! -
Making Canada’s transportation system accessible is everyone’s job. Now, transport operators and community groups across Canada can get help in creating transportation that is ...
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Two-Tiered Democracy?
Government Information and Citizens’ Rights -
Our government has committed to making us the most connected society in the world. A global electronic revolution is enabling advances in online systems that broaden the delivery of services, and ...
- Unanswered Questions
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The Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Disabled Persons was formed in April 1989 when the House of Commons adopted amendments combining the mandate of the Standing Committee on ...
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Update on the Task Force
The Federal Task Force on Disability Issues -
On Wednesday, April 23, the Task Force on Disability Issues met with its Reference Group representing 24 national organizations of persons with disabilities to review government progress in ...
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Urban CAP
Just How Inclusive is It? -
Recently, the federal government’s campaign to "... make the information and knowledge infrastructure accessible to all Canadians by the year 2000, thereby making Canada the most connected ...
- What Mr. Scott’s Task Force Yielded
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Last December 18, Hon. Allan Rock, Hon. Jane Stewart, Hon. Pierre Pettigrew and Hon. Paul Martin were on hand to give their initial response to the federal Task Force on Disability Issues. Task force ...
- Word from the Top
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"It’s true that I have a physical defect [Bell’s palsy]. God gave it to me. When I was a kid, people were laughing at me. But I accepted that because God gave me other qualities and I’m ...
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Would they Shoot Lassie?
The Opportunity Works Conference -
Human Resources Development Canada’s Opportunities Fund is currently being reviewed in anticipation of its March 31, 2000, expiry date. A highly visible component of this review was a March ...
- Young Girl Makes Political History
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Roisin Hartnett is only 13, but she’s already made her mark in history. She has become the first page who is blind to serve in Ontario’s legislature. The highly competitive page program is offered ...
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