An event took place in Toronto at CNIB on April 8 ahead of the federal election, to discuss the issues that are most important to people with disabilities.
Candidates from three of the major federal parties came to speak. From the Liberal Party, Liane Kotler. From the NDP, George Wedge and from the Green Party, Mike Morrice. The invitation was also extended to the Conservative Party and Bloc Quebecois, but candidates from those parties did not attend.
Among the topics that were discussed was the Canadian Disability Benefit and accessible housing.
The candidates agreed the benefit of $200 is not enough, but Liane Kotler of the Liberal Party said it was a “milestone.”
“It is a new addition to Canada’s social safety net. It fills a very well-known fact that people with disabilities are poor. We need to do more, but it’s a good start,” she said.
“If you elect Greens across the country, what you will get are champions for the disability community, because Greens are champions for our communities first and foremost,” said Morrice of the Green Party.
George Wedge said he can relate to the challenges people with disabilities face, as he has two children with special needs.
“Whether it’s at school, social events, if I don’t open the door then they wouldn’t get in. I understand how it is that every time you go to a door it seems to be closed, and you need help opening it. That’s not right. People with disabilities can open the door themselves, they just need the opportunity,” he said.
“The NDP is committed to tackling the cost of living crisis including doubling the Canada Disability Benefit, ending unfair flaw backs and making it easier to access. When it comes to the eight million people in Canada who have a disability, there is no partisan politics. We must partner and bend every year in Ottawa every day we can,” Wedge added.
On the issue of affordable and accessible housing, Kotler said the government needs to consult with the public.
“We always look to the government for solutions, but we need more input from Canadians as to what a house that is completely barrier free looks like,” Kotler said.
She added that if re-elected, her party will have a chief accessibility officer.
“[That] puts in place a mindset that Canada is looking to communicate to our citizens that persons with disabilities are not just their disability, but individuals with skills, talents, with personalities that are way beyond their disability, so what I will try to do in Ottawa, is to break down not just logical barriers, but attitude barriers,” she said.
Mike Morrice added, “We need to change the national building code, to make a universal design mandatory on all new buildings. The disability community has made it clear what the requirements are, it is the government’s responsibility to follow through.”
While members of the public were listening and asking questions in person, there was also a large audience on Zoom of over 300 people.
The Zoom chat was very active as people not only tried to get their questions asked, but made general comments about what was being said by each candidate.
“People shouldn’t have to build their own ramps,” wrote one audience member.
Toward the end of the discussion, Zoom audience members became frustrated with not being able to have their concerns addressed and began to make them known, by unmuting and speaking as freely as they could for just a few seconds before it was cut off and the discussion resumed.
The event was one hour and a half long and ended with encouragement to get out and vote.
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