The Convention is of great importance to us.

Help CWDO to weigh in on this important issue!

We will gather on-line, in our virtual conference room, to shape CWDO's response to the Federal Government's questionnaire on the UN Convention.  Ann Martindale, a CWDO Board Member, will lead the discussion.

All CWDO members are welcome to participate.

Sunday, July 26 at 7 pm EDT.

Click here to go the Online Conference area.  After you download the application, sign in to Room 10.   

The Convention is important for all Canadians because it marks a "paradigm shift" in attitudes and approaches to persons with disabilities. The Convention emphasizes that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms. It clarifies and qualifies how all categories of rights apply to persons with disabilities. It also identifies areas where adaptations have to be made for persons with disabilities to effectively exercise their rights, areas where their rights have been violated, and where protection of rights must be reinforced.

Canada signed the Convention in March 2007, meaning that Canada is currently required to respect the general object and purpose of the treaty. The Government of Canada is seeking the views of Canadians, and particularly of the disability community, in order to inform the decision on ratification. These views would also play an important role in informing any decisions that may be taken at the federal level to further implement the Convention.

Members are also encouraged to submit a questionnaire as an individual, and to ask your networks to do the same.  You can respond directly to the Federal government through their fully accessible Web site at www.hrsdc.gc.ca/consultations

There you will also find information on how to send your response by email, regular mail, fax or phone.

NOTE: All contributions must be received by the Office for Disability Issues by July 31, 2009, midnight, Eastern Daylight Time.