Blog | Federal Accessibility Legislation Alliance | Alliance pour Une Loi Fédérale Sur L'Accessibilité

We Did It

My Canada Includes Me image for Accessible Canada Act passing

Congratulations to all of you. The vote in the House of Commons passed unanimously. Once Bill C-81 has Royal Assent we will have an Accessible Canada Act.

Good News from Minister Qualtrough

Minister Qualtrough writes to say that the government intends to accept all of the amendments made by the Senate and the Bill C-81 debate in the House of Commons will take place next week coinciding with National AccessAbility Week.

Send a Letter to MPs Telling them to Pass Bill C-81

a computer keyboard with a Canada flag symbol symbolizing a letter writing campaign

Send a letter to all the Members of Parliament telling them you want Bill C-81 passed. You want an Accessible Canada Act before the next election.

Bill C-81 is Back in the House

On May 13th, 2019, the Senate passed 3rd reading of Bill C-81. The Social Affairs, Science and Technology Senate Standing Committee has recommended the following amendments to strengthen Bill C-81. We did not get all the changes we asked for, but the changes are pretty good.

Building a New Coalition with Canada’s Disability Community

This Draft Document is Provided to Not-for-profit Organizations in Canada’s Disability Community for Comments via a Survey and for Discussion at an Open Meeting May 8, 2019 in Ottawa. Please read and consider participating.

FALA Presents to SOCI Senate Standing Committee

Watch the FALA presentation to the SOCI Senate Standing Committee, along with ARCH Disability Law Centre and the Council of Canadians with Disabilities.

Apply for New Accessible Canada Act Positions

Find out about the five Notices of Opportunities for anticipatory Governor in Council appointments that may be of interest to you or those in your network. These positions relate to the Government of Canada’s proposed Accessible Canada Act (Bill C-81). Apply now. The Deadline is April 29/19 [CHANGE IN DEADLINE DATE]

FALA Urges Senate Passage of Historic Bill C-81

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TORONTO, March 21, 2019 – An alliance of 90 disability-related organizations wants the Senate to pass historic legislation that would require organizations under federal jurisdiction to ensure barrier free access to work places, public spaces, employment, programs, services and information. The Federal Accessibility Legislation Alliance (FALA), which has helped galvanize the country’s disability community into a formidable voice for a barrier-free Canada, has played a significant role in the shaping of Bill C-81. The bill, which will be known as the Accessible Canada Act once it becomes law, unanimously passed Third Reading in the House of Commons last November. In the Senate, Bill C-81 passed Second Reading earlier this month and has been referred to the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. Once the committee concludes its deliberations, the bill with recommended improvements will come before the full Senate for Third Reading.

Back in Ottawa Visiting the Senate

February 19-22 the FALA Leadership Team was in Ottawa. We met with ten senators, Minister Qualtrough and the Accessibility Secretariat to discuss our 11 recommendations. These recommendations were developed with our 89 partners and 90 members, working towards our goal of a strong and effective Accessible Canada Act. We had the chance to be in the Senate Gallery to witness Senator Munson introduce Bill C-81 by delivering his Second Reading speech. It was a really good one. Don’t take our word for it… read it yourself. And thereafter began the Second Reading debate.

Senate Draft Recommendations Review

Bill C-81 Watch - thermometer indicating the bill is now at the Senate stage

Partners and members of the Federal Accessibility Legislation Alliance are taking part in reviewing draft recommendations for the Senate. There are 11 recommendations being put forth. We are working on a tight timeline and we are eager to hear from all who want to participate in the process. We are wrapping this process up by Feb 6 so if you want to get involved sign up today: https://www.include-me.ca/join-us