Dernières nouvelles

Radio Documentary on Huronia Class Action Lawsuit

November 23, 2011

A radio documentary on the Huronia (and Rideau and Smiths Falls) class action lawsuits plays this coming Sunday, November 27 in the first hour of The Sunday Edition on CBC radio one across Canada and on Sirius Satellite radio 159 across North America.

Never Forget

December 06, 2010

Convicted murderer Robert Latimer will be released on full parole today after serving the minimum sentence for second-degree murder. Latimer killed his 12 year-old daughter Tracy in 1993 through carbon monoxide poisoning. The murder and the debate on justice that followed it had a huge impact on persons with disabilities in Canada. “Tracy’s story reminds us that we have to remain vigilant when it comes to the rights of persons with disabilities,” said Shelley Rattai, Executive Director of People First of Canada. “When this happened, Robert Latimer was viewed as the victim. But with the work of the disability community, we believe that today that view has changed and he is seen for who he is and what he did,” Rattai further stated. The murder itself is a matter of fact and was never denied. The debate that followed this murder was about justice. The initial conviction was for second-degree murder but the recommended sentence was only one year. The nation was divided and Canadians with disabilities were outraged. For those in the disability community, such a light sentence meant that the lives of people with disabilities were regarded as ‘less than’ those without disabilities. Today, almost two decades since the murder, we have come a long way as a country that believes in the value and rights of all of its citizens. Canada supports and has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on March 11, 2010. “We believe that Canadians have a better understanding of the abilities of people with disabilities, to respect our rights, to make our own decisions, and to have our voices heard,” said Richard Ruston, President of People First of Canada. “Although Robert Latimer has served his time, and the disability community continues to move forward, we will never forget that Tracy Latimer’s life was taken simply because she had a disability,” Ruston stated.

Pour plus d’information, svp contactez:
Shelley Rattai [srattai@peoplefirstofcanada.ca]

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

December 09, 2009

This paper is an EasyRead guide to the full agreement. It is not a legal paper. You need to look at the full agreement itself if you want to know what exactly the agreement says, or what countries have signed up to.

Lien: United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Pour plus d’information, svp contactez:
Catherine Allix [callix@peoplefirstofcanada.ca]

Abuse Cases at Institution in Nova Scotia – More Bad History Repeating

September 25, 2009

TORONTO, ON. – Sept. 19, 2009 - The 43 cases of abuse reported in Nova Scotia this week confirm what people with intellectual disabilities already know: people aren’t safe in institutional settings. People First of Canada (PFC) and the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) have long been calling for this country to free its citizens and close all large institutions that warehouse people with disabilities. Newfoundland, British Columbia, and Ontario no longer have large scale institutions, but some provinces like Nova Scotia continue to use the outdated institutional model. Richard Ruston, President of PFC, remarked that: “Unfortunately, many people with intellectual disabilities are not surprised at yet another series of abuse cases within a large institution. Appalled and disgusted, yes, but not surprised.” In fact, many people with intellectual disabilities know first hand that this is generally what happens. They know because they have lived in institutions; they know because they have been abused there. They also know that an institution is no place for anyone to live. Canadian Association for Community Living, President Bendina Miller, commented “Throughout our history CACL has rejected that institutions have a place in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. We know that institutions can never effectively safeguard against abuse. The answer isn’t improving institutions, it’s closing them so that people can live valued lives in their communities.” John Cox, a long-time member and supporter of People First and the deinstitutionalization movement, stated “When someone else, who may not even know you, has full control of you and your life, and you’re a vulnerable person, abuse can happen. Time and time again, we hear the same stories. We have a responsibility now, to ourselves and all Canadians, to say no one, no one, should live in an institution.”

Pour plus d’information, svp contactez:
Shelley Rattai, Executive Director, People First of Canada

Dignité et justice pour nous tous!

November 26, 2008

Personnes d’Abord du Canada est fière de s’associer à Vie Autonome Canada lors des célébrations et de la réception de la 7ème Journée internationale de l’ONU relative aux personnes handicapées qui se dérouleront le 3 décembre 2008 à Ottawa, Canada. De concert avec la collectivité des personnes handicapées, Personnes d’Abord du Canada et Vie Autonome Canada envisagent l’avènement d’une société accessible et inclusive où les personnes handicapées seront valorisées comme citoyens à part entière. Nous voulons créer une société où toutes et tous seront traités avec respect et dignité – un pays offrant des possibilités à tous. Les personnes avec des déficiences contribuent à la société canadienne en tant qu’artistes, employés, employeurs, parents, étudiants et bien plus encore. Mais de nombreux Canadiens handicapés font toujours face à des obstacles attitudinaux et environnementaux qui entravent leur participation et les empêchent de contribuer comme ils le souhaiteraient. Le 3 décembre, Personnes d’Abord du Canada et Vie Autonome Canada présenteront ensemble le puissant documentaire « En route vers la liberté ». Profond et convaincant, ce film retrace le périple de personnes qui, après avoir vécu dans des établissements, tentent de mettre fin à l’institutionnalisation et racontent certaines horreurs présentes et passées. C’est aussi un fascinant regard sur l’atteinte de la dignité pour les personnes handicapées et sur les défis à relever.

Pour plus d’information, svp contactez:
People First of Canada [info@peoplefirstofcanada.ca]