People First of Canada is the national organization representing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
People First of Canada is the national voice of people who have been labeled with an intellectual or developmental disability. We are about rights – human rights, citizenship rights, accommodations rights and language rights. The right to freedom, choice and equality for all.
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15th Annual Federal Policy Forum on Inclusion
People First of Canada invites you to join us for the 15th Annual Policy Forum on Inclusion! Hosted by PFC and Inclusion Canada, along with the Office for Disability Issues, this year’s discussion is about “Roofs and Rights: Inclusive Housing Policy and People with Intellectual Disability.“
The Forum is being held online on November 14 and 15, starting each day at 12 PM EST.
You can get the agenda and register at this link: https://inclusioncanada.ca/registration-open-15th-annual-federal-policy-forum-on-inclusion/
We hope to see you there!
LATEST PFC NEWS
The Alphabet Soup Series - Join us for webinar #1
People First of Canada is holding a new webinar series called ‘Alphabet Soup.’ This series is about explaining some of the acronyms we use when we are working.
The first in the series looks at GBV – Gender Based Violence. If you want to learn more, join us for the webinar on Wednesday, October 2, at 2:00 PM EST.
This webinar is open to everyone and will be in English and in French. Anyone can join to listen, but if you want to ask questions, you will need to wear a headset and microphone.
Please share this with your members and self advocate networks. Invite people to join us!
Warning: This webinar will deal with the topic of abuse at times. It could bring out strong emotions.
Join the Zoom Meeting on October 2
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82367284149
Meeting ID: 823 6728 4149
We hope to see you there!
Help Improve the Accessibility of Emergency Alerts!
NOTICE: November 20, 2023
PFC has been involved in a survey about Emergency Alerts that the Neil Squire Society has put together, as below. We apologize on their behalf for anyone that has had issues with taking the survey. They are working on fixing the issues and right now the survey is not available.
We will let people know when the survey is fixed and ready for people to take it again.
Thank you so much for your patience.
People First of Canada is part of a project to help improve the accessibility of national emergency alerts.
We need your feedback!
Listen for the national emergency alert on November 15, 2023. This could be on your phone, TV or radio.
Starting on November 16, (the next day) you can take this online survey and share your feedback.
Survey link to be posted
Everyone who finishes the survey will get a $35 Amazon gift card. You can take the survey even if you didn’t hear the alert on Nov 15. Your feedback is important and will help us improve how emergency alerts are sent out.
Registration is Open for the 14th Federal Policy Forum on Inclusion!
Registration is now open for the 14th Annual Federal Policy Forum!
Join People First of Canada, and Inclusion Canada along with the Office for Disability Issues on November 21 and 22.
Day 1 will focus on inclusive employment. Day 2 will focus on access to justice. Panelist will bring their personal and professional views and experiences on these important topics and how they affect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
To register and find out more:
Manitoba Developmental Centre Class Action Claims Assistance Session October 24, 2023
The lawyers in the Manitoba Developmental Centre (MDC) Class Action are hosting a full day to help people fill out and submit their claim forms.
This session is open to all Class Members. Family members, support people and Substitute Decision Makers are welcome to attend.
This is a drop-in session. You can come by any time during the session.
- When: October 24, 2023, between 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM
- Where: 120 Maryland St. Winnipeg, Manitoba
- What to bring: Bring some kind of Photo Identification. Bring any information you wish to have class counsel review.
At the session, the lawyers can help you in the following ways.
- Answer any questions you have about the claims process
- Help you complete the claim forms
- Review your claim for submission
- Commission your claim form
It is okay if you are not ready or cannot make it to this session. There will be another session. It will be held before the claims deadline of June 27, 2024.
You can also get help by phone at this number: 1-800-286-2266.
You can get help by email at this address: mdcclassaction@kmlaw.ca.
The process of making a claim can be emotional. It can bring up memories and experiences. It is a good idea to bring someone from your support network. They can help you with the effect the process might have on you.
If you need more support, there are also resources available to help you. You can get professional support and counselling. You can be paid back for counselling fees. You can find out more at this webpage: https://mdcclassactionsettlement.com/ . Look under the heading “Claims Process Counselling.”
Settlement reached in Manitoba Developmental Centre Class Action
Below is a news release from PFC. It is about the settlement in the Manitoba Developmental Centre (MDC) law suit.
Below is information on the notices from the lawsuit.
There is a proposed settlement to the class action lawsuit for people who lived at the Manitoba Developmental Centre.
There have been two notices from the lawyers in the case. These notices have important information for people who lived at the Manitoba Developmental Centre between July 1951 and May 2020.
People who lived there and were hurt can make a claim. People who lived there can also object to the settlement and explain why they disagree with it.
Below are the notices in plain language. They have more information about the lawsuit, who to contact, important dates and the next steps.
Phase 1 Publication Short Form Notice Plain Language
Phase 1 Long Form Notice Plain Language
MDC Class Action Update
A Remedy for Dreams: The Nova Scotia Human Rights Ruling
Below is a news release from PFC and People First Nova Scotia. It is about the end of a long court case in Nova Scotia. The court case was about the rights of people with disabilities to live in the community and not in an institution.
A Home for Me! The People First of Canada Housing Blog
People First of Canada has a new blog on housing! Check out the new story from John and Donna Cox. Both are long time members of People First Nova Scotia and have also served on the People First of Canada Board.
Click here for John and Donna's housing story.
Roundtable Discussion on Equality and Accessibility at Work
Have you had an experience at your job around accessibility? Have you had experiences being treated unfairly or unequally at work? Are you a person who has been labeled with an intellectual or developmental disability?
We want to hear from you!
People First of Canada is holding a virtual roundtable discussion about equality and accessibility at work. We want to hear about your experiences. People First members and self-advocates are invited to join. Kory Earle will be leading the discussion. We invite you to join the conversation.
Choose the time that works best for you. No need to register - just use the link to join one of the sessions.
Roundtable Discussion #1 (English only)
Tuesday April 5th at 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82144137822
Meeting ID: 821 4413 7822
OR
Roundtable Discussion #2 (English with French interpretation)
Tuesday, April 5th, 6:00pm – 7:00pm EST
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82176455748
Meeting ID: 821 7645 5748
Introducing: Invisible Institutions
Invisible Institutions is a new documentary podcast exploring the past and present of institutions for people labelled with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Canada. Supported and advised by People First of Canada and Inclusion Canada’s Joint Task Force on Deinstitutionalization, the podcast investigates the under-reported and invisible harms of the institutional system.
For fifty years, self-advocates, families, and communities have fought to end the institutionalization of people labelled with intellectual and developmental disabilities. But today, institutionalization remains an ongoing reality, present in sheltered workshops, long-term care homes and other congregate settings.
This seven part audio documentary includes interviews with survivors, self-advocates, community activists, and experts, as they work to expose the exploitation, isolation, resistance and survival facing people labeled with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
You can learn more at the Invisible Institutions website.
You can listen to the podcast at the link below.
Manitoba Developmental Centre Class Action Lawsuit Update
For anyone who lived at the Manitoba Developmental Centre (MDC) or know someone who did, the Class Action lawsuit is going forward. People who lived at MDC between July 1, 1951 and May 29, 2020 are included in the lawsuit. If you do not want to be included in the lawsuit, you have to be asked to be removed from the lawsuit by January 12, 2022.
If you know a former resident of MDC who cannot read this notice, please share this information with them.
You can read more from the MDC Publication Notice at the link below. (English only)
MDC-Publication Notice-English (1)
You can read more from the MDC Schedule B Long Form Notice at the link below. (English only)
MDC-Schedule B-Long Form Notice-English (1)
Update on Nova Scotia Human Rights Case
This is an update on a human rights case in Nova Scotia. There has been a big victory for people with disabilities in that province.
Background and decision
This was a human rights case that began in 2015. It was about discrimination. ‘Discrimination’ happens when people are not treated fairly and equally. Joseph Delaney, Shelia Livingstone and Beth MacLean were discriminated against. They were forced to live in the Nova Scotia Psychiatric Hospital. They lived in a locked and fenced unit called ‘Emerald Hall.’ All three were able to live in the community. They all qualified for programs to live in the community. But they remained on waitlists for many years.
In 2019, the case was decided. The first part of the decision said that the three people did experience discrimination. They should not have been forced to keep living in the institution. The second part of the decision said that this does not mean that everybody in this situation is being discriminated against. It said it does not mean that the system discriminates against people. This part said that each person’s case must be looked at separately.
Appeal of the decision
The disability community did not agree with the second part of this decision. As a group, Inclusion Canada, People First of Canada, and the Council of Canadians with Disabilities appealed the decision. It went to the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal.
Result of the appeal
The group won the appeal. The Court of Appeal found that Joseph Delaney, Shelia Livingstone and Beth MacLean were discriminated against. The court also found that other people might be discriminated against in the same way. They found that people might be treated unfairly and unequally in the systems they are in.
The result of the appeal sends a strong message. Governments and systems cannot leave out people with disabilities. They cannot put them in institutions. They cannot leave them on waitlists for years.
Inclusion Canada, People First of Canada, and the Council of Canadians with Disabilities have asked the Nova Scotia government to recognize the decision and work to fix the situation. This includes removing barriers and working with people with disabilities and disability rights groups.
Note
Sheila Livingstone died before the human rights case started. Beth MacLean recently passed away.
The Truths of Institutionalization: Past and Present
Please join People First of Canada, Community Living Ontario, and Inclusion Canada for the launch of our new powerful curriculum. The Truths of Institutionalization: Past and Present is a collection of voices sharing the truths about institutionalization in Canada from the 1800s up to today. You can check out the website and the curriculum at this link Truths of Institutionalization
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is meant to honour Residential School Survivors and those who never came home. It is meant to recognize the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools. We encourage everyone to take the time to explore these issues. We encourage you to read the 94 Calls to Action. We encourage you to watch the stories on the National Film Board’s Residential Schools channel. We encourage you to listen, to learn, to reflect, and to commit to personal action.
Editorial: Losing rights comes at an early age for those with intellectual disabilities
May 26, 2021 | Click here for an editorial [PDF] from People First of Canada, "Losing rights comes at an early age for those with intellectual disabilities."
ARCHIVED NEWS
Read the press release from People First of Canada about the changes to the medical assistance in dying laws.
Read moreFor archived news from People First of Canada, visit our NEWSROOM!