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The response from the NDP claims a strong commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and a desire to use it as a guiding principle for their policies.
Ottawa (20 Sept. 2021) — On September 10, Larry Brown, President of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), wrote an open letter to the federal party leaders regarding Canada’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan and called for urgent financial aid for people with disabilities. The New Democratic Party (NDP) was the only party that sent a response.
NDP strongly supports the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The response from the NDP claims a strong commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and a desire to use it as a guiding principle for their policies. They also promise to, “get to work immediately to address barriers and promote full inclusion. [They] will strengthen the Accessible Canada Act so that it covers all federal agencies equally, including the power to make and enforce accessibility standards in a timely manner.”
Multiple social policies to aid people with disabilities
Both the NDP platform and letter outline several initiatives that will aid Canadians with disabilities and other marginalized Canadians. The NDP pledge to create a basic guaranteed livable income for all Canadians, a new pilot project for EI that will allow people with episodic disabilities to access EI Sickness Benefits with much more flexibility, and a national pharmacare program.
Regardless of the election results, NUPGE encourages all parties to push for policies and legislation that provide immediate financial assistance to people with disabilities. We cannot let another election go by without seeing real change for those who need it most.