Government of Canada funds project to support the full inclusion of persons with disabilities

WINNIPEG—The Honourable Reg Alcock, President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Ken Dryden, Minister of Social Development, today announced $212,250 in funding under the Social Development Partnerships Program — Disability component, for the Council of Canadians with Disabilities. This funding will support the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in Canadian society.

"We are committed to promoting the full and active participation of all Canadians in our country's social, cultural and economic life," said Minister Dryden. "With our partners, we will work to build communities in which everyone can be fully included."

The Council of Canadians with Disabilities will receive $212,250 for Human Rights and Persons with Disabilities: Current Issues and Strategic Plan. This national project will review current policies and actions of the Canadian Human Rights Commission in addressing disability issues and make recommendations for improvement. The project will also provide a basis for identifying the next steps to ensure equality of opportunity both here in Canada and worldwide.

"Investments such as these bring us a step closer to a Canada where persons with disabilities have access to the support they need," said Minister Alcock. "The Government of Canada is proud to contribute to organizations that help ensure equality of opportunity for persons with disabilities."

The Government of Canada's Social Development Partnership Program — Disability component is an $11-million grants and contributions program that seeks to support the capacity of the voluntary sector, inform the policy and program development process, and advance the full participation of persons with disabilities in Canada. Voluntary and not-for-profit organizations representing persons with disabilities are eligible to apply.

Funding for this project was provided for in the 2005 federal budget.

This project has been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department's administration of its grants and contributions program.

See the backgrounder for more details.

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Call 1-800-788-8282 on a Touch-Tone phone or through a teletypewriter (TTY).

For more information, please contact:

Linda Kristal
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Social Development
(613) 941-0766

Kelly Morgan
Minister Alcock's Office
(613) 957-2666

Media Relations
Social Development Canada
(613) 941-1110

Web site: www.sdc.gc.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Human Rights and Persons with Disabilities: Current Issues and Strategic Plan

Duration: November 2004 — March 31, 2007

Funding amount: $212,250

This national project with the Council of Canadians with Disabilities will review current policies and actions of the Canadian Human Rights Commission in addressing disability issues and make recommendations for improvement.

Principles and processes will be developed to formalize the Council of Canadians with Disabilities’ method of selecting strategic test case litigation and to identify potential legal counsel interested in assisting in the organization’s litigation. A mechanism will be put in place for disability community input on developing a United Nations Convention on Human Rights and Persons with Disabilities.

The project will provide a basis for identifying the next steps to ensure equality of opportunity both here in Canada and worldwide.

Social Development Partnerships Program Disability

The Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP) is a grants and contributions program that provides financial support to organizations working in the social non-profit sector.

The SDPP addresses the social development and inclusion needs of people with disabilities, children and their families, and other vulnerable or excluded groups.

The program has a mandate to help strengthen organizations in the non-profit sector, and to foster partnerships that advance social goals and enhance the quality of life of Canadians. Its disability component (SDPP—D) seeks to advance the Government of Canada’s disability agenda by promoting the full participation of Canadians with disabilities in learning, work, and community life. The SDPP—D supports research that promotes awareness of issues that relate to persons with disabilities and their families. The program also promotes the generation, dissemination, and application of knowledge, innovative solutions, and best practices.

FUNDING

The SDPP—D provides $11 million in funding per year.

Grants

• $5 million for base funding to 18 national disability organizations.

Contributions

• $3 million to support 40�� projects of one to three years’ duration (more than 500 projects across the country have received funding in the program’s seven-year history).

Community Inclusion Initiative

• $3 million per year in base funding to two national organizations, the Canadian Association for Community Living and People First of Canada, for the inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities in community life.