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.
On June 21, 2026, MP Gazan issued the following statement on National Indigenous Peoples Day
On June 16, 2026, NDP Indigenous Affairs Critic Leah Gazan issued the following statement on Bill C-37: