On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, in recognition of the Worldwide Day of Individuals with Disabilities, Incapacity With out Poverty and Marketing campaign 2000 launched their second annual Incapacity Poverty Report Card throughout a press convention held on the Mississauga Civic Centre. The report card assigned Canada a failing grade (“F”) for its inadequate motion in addressing incapacity poverty, calling on the federal authorities to strengthen the Canada Incapacity Profit.
The occasion featured remarks from Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, and nationwide administrators Rabia Khedr of Incapacity With out Poverty and Leila Sarangi of Marketing campaign 2000. Every speaker emphasised the crucial want for improved federal insurance policies to make sure monetary safety and dignity for individuals with disabilities.
“It’s unacceptable that in a rustic as rich as Canada, individuals with disabilities proceed to reside in poverty,” mentioned Rabia Khedr, Nationwide Director of Incapacity With out Poverty. “The Canada Incapacity Profit has nice potential, however because it stands, it’s woefully insufficient. With out important enhancements, it received’t meet the wants of these it’s meant to assist.”
Leila Sarangi, Nationwide Director of Marketing campaign 2000, highlighted the persistent struggles confronted by Canadians with disabilities. “Incapacity poverty isn’t just a statistic; it’s a harsh actuality that impacts people and households every single day. The federal authorities should take rapid steps to bolster the Canada Incapacity Profit, making certain it gives significant, sustained assist,” Sarangi mentioned.
Native leaders additionally added their voices to the decision for motion. Mayor Carolyn Parrish of Mississauga expressed her concern concerning the influence of federal inaction on native communities. “Our cities see firsthand the struggles confronted by individuals with disabilities who’re compelled to depend on insufficient assist methods. We’d like rapid modifications on the federal stage to make sure nobody is left behind,” Parrish mentioned.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown echoed related sentiments, urging Ottawa to satisfy its commitments. “The Canada Incapacity Profit has the potential to raise hundreds of Canadians out of poverty, however with out pressing reforms, it dangers turning into one other damaged promise. We’d like management and motion now,” Brown said.
The 2024 Incapacity Poverty Report Card outlined a number of crucial areas the place Canada has failed to satisfy expectations, together with insufficient revenue assist, lack of accessibility in companies, and inadequate measures to deal with the distinctive wants of marginalized incapacity teams. The report serves as a stark reminder of the pressing work wanted to create a extra equitable society for all Canadians.
Andrea Zackary, Deaf Group Coordinator for Incapacity With out Poverty, offered highly effective perception into the challenges confronted by the Deaf group. “Accessible companies and monetary stability are basic rights for everybody, but many members of the Deaf and incapacity communities stay excluded from these fundamental assurances,” Zackary mentioned.
The press convention concluded with a united plea for rapid federal motion to strengthen the Canada Incapacity Profit. “We’ll proceed to advocate for change till the federal government listens and acts. Poverty shouldn’t be inevitable—it’s a coverage alternative,” mentioned Khedr in her closing remarks.
The launch of the Incapacity Poverty Report Card came about on the Mississauga Civic Centre’s Media Studio at 8:30 a.m. The occasion offered quite a few picture alternatives, with Mayors Parrish and Brown standing alongside advocacy leaders Khedr, Sarangi, and Zackary. Collectively, they underscored the urgent have to remove poverty amongst Canadians with disabilities.
Because the 2024 Worldwide Day of Individuals with Disabilities concluded, Incapacity With out Poverty and Marketing campaign 2000 reiterated their dedication to holding the federal authorities accountable and making certain that Canadians with disabilities obtain the assist they deserve.
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