The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities:
“On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we celebrate the contributions made by persons with disabilities to our country, and recommit ourselves to building a Canada that is truly inclusive and equal.
“Around the world, far too many persons with disabilities still face major barriers – stigma, discrimination, limited accessibility, even denial of basic human rights – to fully participate in society.
“Here at home we are trying to do our part to address this challenge. Over the last several months, Minister Carla Qualtrough – Canada’s first ever federal minister of persons with disabilities – has consulted across the country on planned accessibility legislation to promote equality of opportunity and increase the inclusion and participation of Canadians who have disabilities or functional limitations. I welcome everyone to partake in these consultations, which will continue until the end of February 2017.
“Today, and every day, let us take action to break down the barriers that exclude Canadians with disabilities. We cannot rest until persons with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else.”
