December 3, 2025

NDP Critic for Persons with Disabilities MP Leah Gazan Statement on International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day to reaffirm the rights of persons with disabilities - rights that are outlined in the Charter, the Canadian Human Rights Act, and international treaties and conventions such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. These constitutional rights are all too often violated or disregarded.

We see that today with WestJet implementing arbitrary weight restrictions which violate the rights of people who use wheelchairs to travel with dignity and safety in Canada. It’s also shown in the persistence of disability poverty, as more than 1.5 million people with disabilities in Canada live below the poverty line.

We know that the Canada Disability Benefit is far too limited to support recipients’ basic necessities, and there remain unnecessary barriers to access it.

And, Prime Minister Carney has abolished the minister responsible for persons with disabilities from his cabinet, eliminating a voice for upholding disability rights in government decision making.

Canada is failing to uphold the rights of people with disabilities. At a time when diversity, equity and inclusion is under attack, we must refuse to backslide and stand firm in demanding human rights for people with disabilities.

Contact:

MP Leah Gazan

Latest posts

MP Leah Gazan Statement on the Immediate Threat of the Climate Emergency

On July 23, 2026, NDP Critic for Indigenous Affairs and for the Environment Leah Gazan Issued the Following Statement:
The outbreak of the fires in Northern Ontario last week is a visceral reminder of the immediate Canada-wide threat posed by the climate emergency, as another devastating wildfire season is ravaging dozens of communities, especially First Nations communities.

MP Leah Gazan Statement on the Shamattawa First Nations State of Emergency: Hepatitis A Outbreak

On July 20, 2026, NDP Critic for Indigenous Affairs Leah Gazan Issued the Following Statement:

MP Leah Gazan Statement on Northwestern Ontario Wildfires

On July 16, 2026, NDP Critic for Indigenous Affairs and for the Environment Leah Gazan Issued the Following Statement:

As folks across Canada witness the highly disturbing images of wildfires in Northwestern Ontario, I echo the words of consolation offered by First Nations Chiefs to the Nations and communities impacted, along with their calls for urgent government action to ensure this crisis is resolved and the safety of evacuees is upheld.