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.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities – Cross Country Showings of These Four Walls
December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. To celebrate this day, People First of Canada chapters are showing the documentary These Four Walls in their communities.
These Four Walls was released by PFC in 2025. The film takes the viewer through the lives of people with intellectual disabilities who were forced to live in the Manitoba Developmental Centre, or MDC, a large institution for people with disabilities in the prairie province. The film also follows a class action lawsuit lead by David Weremy against the Government of Manitoba.
"The goal of the film was to show the world how people were treated in institutions and to advocate for a future where institutions would be permanently closed," said Donna Brown, President of PFC.
You can join People First members watching the film in your community, or you can request the film by emailing info@peoplefirstofcanada.ca
Visit the People First of Canada Facebook page for more details or links to showings.
List of Showings of These Four Walls
Dec 2 Disability without Poverty Symposium (online)
Dec 3 Red River Community College, Manitoba
Dec 3 Selkirk, Manitoba
Dec 3 New Westminster, British Columbia
Dec 3 Lethbridge, Alberta
Dec 3 Red Deer, Alberta
Dec 3 Regina, Saskatchewan
Dec 3 St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Dec 3 PF New Brunswick (online)
Dec 3 PF Ontario (online)
Dec 3 Truro, Nova Scotia
Dec 3 Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
Dec 6 Whitehorse, Yukon
Join us for the 16th Annual National Policy Forum on Inclusion!
Join People First of Canada and Inclusion Canada for this year’s Policy Forum on Inclusion called “What’s holding us back? The future of inclusive education in Canada.”
This year’s policy forum will be a 3 part virtual series held on Zoom. It starts on November 5. The series will bring together People First members, self-advocates, family members, educators, and policy experts.
People with intellectual or developmental disabilities have a right to an inclusive education at all levels. This is part of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Article 24.
The panels will explore what gets in the way of these rights in Canada and highlight examples of how we can remove these barriers together.
There is still time to register at the links below.
Find out more and get registered!
ENGLISH: http://bit.ly/46VGm1f
FRENCH: http://bit.ly/3Ust05m
LATEST PFC NEWS
Invisible Institutions Podcast is back for Season 2! PFC is excited to announce the return of the Invisible Institutions podcast. This groundbreaking documentary podcast investigates the past and present of institutionalization for people with intellectual disabilities in Canada. Host and creator of the podcast, Megan Linton, examines the history of the Saskatchewan Training School in Episode 1 of Season 2. This episode explores the risks and consequences faced by those who were involuntarily placed there. The episode has accounts from people with lived experience, who share their stories of the abuse, isolation and discrimination.
This important work is made possible through the support of People First of Canada and Inclusion Canada and the Joint National Task Force on Deinstitutionalization. We thank Megan for her continued leadership and compelling storytelling. Invisible Institutions is available everywhere you listen to podcasts. Click here to view the latest episode
The doors to the last institution in Manitoba are finally closed
Please find below a news release from People First of Canada. This is a great day in disability rights and the end of a long, hard and well-won fight. There is much more to be said about this important moment, but for now we should all just enjoy the successful end of a 30 year journey! You can watch the official Manitoba government apology on January 23, 2025 at this link: https://www.youtube.com/ManitobaGovernment
True stories of determination and resilience in new book
Please find below a news release from People First of Canada regarding a new book called The Audacity of Inclusion: Fighting for the Equality of Persons Labelled Intellectually Disabled.
The book was written by long-time PFC supporter Dulcie McCallum. It shines a big bright light on the true stories and authentic experiences of people labelled with an intellectual disability in our country. This book is a great read and we recommend you check it out! (Click here to view on Amazon)
WHO CAN BE A MEMBER OF PEOPLE FIRST?
Who can be a member of People First?
People First membership is open to all people who have experienced any of the following.
- Have been labeled with an intellectual or developmental disability
- Have lived in an institution or group home
- Have attended a special education program or sheltered workshop
- Have received services for persons who have been labeled with an intellectual or developmental disability
- Self-identify as having an intellectual or developmental disability