On November 13 & 14, 2024, Inclusion Canada and People First of Canada hosted the 15^th  annual federal policy forum on inclusion. This year’s theme was Roofs and Rights – Inclusive Housing Policy and People with Intellectual Disabilities.
Learn more about this year’s speakers.

Day 1 of the event looked at the current state of housing in Canada for people with an intellectual disability. We discussed the barriers that prevent the creation of truly inclusive housing.

On Day 2, we learned about innovative housing solutions that promote real inclusion. We talked about actions we can take at individual, community, and government levels to create inclusive, accessible, and affordable housing in Canada.

This year’s event was held online over two half-days. This helped make the policy forum accessible to more people across the country. It also allowed us to offer a wide range of accessibility features like French simultaneous interpretation, ASL, LSQ, and English and French CART captioning. A recording of the event was also provided to everyone who registered.

Day 1

We started the day with a land acknowledgment and accessibility summary led by Donna Brown, the newly elected President of People First of Canada. Donna was joined by Moira Wilson, President of Inclusion Canada. Both Presidents offered opening remarks.

“The first People First chapter in Canada started in an institution in British Columbia. The main reason for starting the chapter was because people wanted to get out of the institution and live in the community. And now it is more than 30 years later and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are still not living in homes that are accessible, affordable, safe, and inclusive.”
– Donna Brown, President, People First of Canada

The Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion, and Persons with Disabilities presented via recorded video. She spoke about our shared goal of building a Canada where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, and how this takes deliberate and persistent action.

Session 1 Laying the Foundation: A look at current strategies, laws, and policies

Gordon Fletcher, Co-Chair of the National Deinstitutionalization Task Force, kicked off the presentations. He introduced the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Gordon spoke about Article 19 of the Convention, which talks about living independently and being included in the community. He explained that we can use the Convention to remind the Government of Canada about its responsibilities.

Gordon’s PowerPoint presentation is available in English.  

Next, we heard from Robert Lattanzio, the Executive Director of ARCH Disability Law Centre. Robert talked about General Comment #5 from the Convention. General Comments are important tools for interpreting the rights laid out in the Convention. General Comment #5 explains:

• Each part of Article 19
• How to understand Article 19 in the context of other rights
• What governments need to do

It also lists barriers to living independently and being included in the community.
In 2017, the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities published Concluding Observations. In this report, they expressed concern that people with disabilities are still being put in institutions in many provinces in Canada.

Robert also talked about a recent court case about the right of an adult with an intellectual disability to choose where and with whom they want to live.

Robert’s PowerPoint presentation is available in English.

Melanie Bernard, Senior Policy Advisor with the Canadian Human Rights Commission, spoke next. For the past few years, the Commission has been looking at housing and people with disabilities. She explained that the right to housing is not just about having a place to live. It also means getting to choose where you live, who you live with, and being able to live with dignity. It means having the disability supports you need and having an accessible home where you feel safe. Melanie introduced the Commission’s monitoring framework. This system is an accountability tool that helps track outcomes in 11 areas related to housing. She shared that the Commission will be publishing the results from this project on December 3, 2024, on the Commission’s website.

Melanie’s PowerPoint presentation is available in English and French.

Rupa Bhawal-Montmorency is the Director General of the Accessible Canada Directorate. Rupa talked about the Accessible Canada Act. She shared that the Act helps shift from disability being seen as a personal limitation to focusing instead on removing environmental barriers that prevent people with disabilities from fully participating in society. Rupa explained that while housing is not federally regulated, the Act helps ensure Canada upholds the principle of ‘Nothing Without Us’ in developing laws, policies, and initiatives. They work with other departments and agencies to make sure accessibility is considered in all programs and services.  Rupa also talked about the opportunity to get involved in developing the Accessible Canada Roadmap. Creating national standards is another important way they help influence housing. In 2023 they published an Accessible dwellings standard to help contractors, developers, and builders to factor in accessibility right from the start.   

“Persons with intellectual disabilities deserve housing options that allow them to live independently, near family and loved ones. Accessible, inclusive housing is critical to meeting that need.”
– Rupa Bhawal-Montmorency, Director General, Accessible Canada Directorate

Next, we heard from Dean Findley and Matt Farrell. Dean Findley is the Chief Building Official and Director of Building Services with the City of Peterborough. He is also a Technical Project Lead for the Alliance of Canadian Building Officials Associations (ACBOA). Matt Farrell is the Executive Director of the Alliance of Canadian Building Officials Associations. As the organization representing building officials across Canada, ACBOA creates resources to support building officials in implementing the National Building Code. They’ve worked with Accessibility Standards Canada to develop training for building officials, regulators, and designers about the Model Standard for the Built Environment. Their training goes beyond just technical requirements to include discussions about:

• Historical context
• Foundational issues
• Rights-based perspectives
• Current challenges
• Social and cultural perspectives
• Future objectives

Session 1 speakers on a Zoom screen. From top left to bottom right: ASL interpreter, LSQ interpreter, Tara Levandier (moderator), Gordon Fletcher, Dean Findley, Matt Farrell, Robert Lattanzio, Rupa Bhawal-Montmorency, Melanie Benard.

Session 2 Cracks in the Foundation: Gaps, Barriers, and Red Tape

Jonathan Bouchard is the Francophone Member outside of Quebec on the People First of Canada Board of Directors. He was our first speaker for Session 2. Rather than just one story, Jonathan’s presentation included sharing the experiences of several People First of Canada members who all face barriers to inclusive and accessible housing. Jonathan’s presentation included talking about:

• Different housing options that people have tried
• Challenges and barriers that people have experienced
• Solutions to address these barriers
• What inclusive housing means to People First members

Jonathan’s PowerPoint presentation is available in English.

The next speaker was Ashton Kennedy. Ashton is a student at Ambrose University and a Director at Large with Inclusion Alberta. Ashton shared his personal story of moving out of his family home and relocating to Calgary, Alberta. He talked about his current housing situation and some of the barriers he experiences living in a congregated setting – like not being allowed to decide what time he goes to bed at night. Ashton explained that he has been trying to explore other housing options but he’s afraid that he might end up in worse living conditions.

Ashton’s speaking notes are available in English.

Karla Verschoor is the Executive Director of Inclusion BC. Karla started her presentation by exploring what makes housing inclusive. She talked about 5 factors that make housing inclusive:

• Choice
• Control
• Independence
• Dignity
• Diversity

She also talked about density housing. Density housing means building lots of housing units in a small area. Karla talked about how density housing can support inclusive housing. She also talked about how density housing can go wrong, and the importance of knowing the history of community living and why we moved away from congregated and segregated housing for people with disabilities.

Karla’s PowerPoint presentation is available in English.

“Inclusive housing is when people with intellectual disabilities have access to the same range of housing options as everyone else and are not segregated or placed in congregated housing based on their disability.”
– Karla Verschoor, Executive Director, Inclusion BC

Next, we heard from Noah Zon, Co-founder and Principal of Springboard. Noah explained that Canada is in a housing crisis and at a housing policy crossroads. He offered some history about federal housing policy in Canada and how this has shaped where we are today. He talked about the National Housing Strategy – its focus, funding, and approaches to developing accessible housing. Noah also touched on Canada’s Housing Plan. He explored the federal government’s influence on provincial and local planning and funding relationships. Recognizing that housing may be a top priority in the next federal election, Noah offered some possible trends we might see moving forward.

Noah’s PowerPoint presentation is available in English.

Our final speaker of Session 2 was Doug Tennant. Doug is the Chief Executive Office of UNITI Chorus. UNITI is a partnership of three not-for-profit organizations that support people with disabilities and provide affordable and inclusive housing to the community. Doug explored barriers that organizations may run into when trying to develop inclusive housing – looking at both ‘internal’ and ‘external’ barriers. He explained how our paradigm of disability can shape the kinds of housing we create. Doug also talked about how municipal regulations and zoning can make it harder to create inclusive, affordable housing. To wrap up, Doug shared a story of how their organization developed overwhelming community support for their recent Harmony Campaign.

Doug’s PowerPoint presentation is available in English.

Session 2 speakers on a Zoom screen. From top left to bottom right: LSQ interpreter, ASL interpreter, Doug Tennant, Tara Levandier (moderator), Karla Verschoor, Noah Zon, Ashton Kennedy, Jonathan Bouchard. 

Day 2

Day 2 began with a land acknowledgment and accessibility summary led by Donna Brown, President of People First of Canada. Next, we heard opening remarks from Takara Lockyer, newly elected 1st Vice-President of People First of Canada.

“I am still hopeful that programs like the Canada Disability Benefit will make it easier for me and other people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to become renters or homeowners in the future.”
– Takara Lockyer, 1st Vice-President, People First of Canada

“The beauty of living independently is the freedom it gives me. No longer do I have to answer to anyone or seek approval for my decisions, whether it’s how I spend my money or when I come and go. It’s empowering to have the autonomy to navigate life on my own schedule while knowing I can always reach out for assistance when needed. In my supportive building, neighbors readily lend a hand, fostering a sense of community that enriches my independence.”
– Patty O’Donnell, President, People First of New Brunswick

Danny Soucy is a Program Advisor for Inclusion NB and father to Daniel, a young man with Down Syndrome. Daniel moved out on his own three years ago. Danny spoke about policy barriers that his family encountered when trying to access funding to purchase a home. He also explained the importance of having a person-centered plan for Daniel, and using this tool in advocacy with the government. He reflected on how Daniel is able to do so much more than they thought, now that he is living in his own home. Finally, Danny talked about how inclusive housing means much more than simply having a roof over your head. It’s about living an ordinary and authentic life and enjoying friends. It’s about chasing dreams, and experiencing the dignity of making your own choices, even if those choices come with some risk.

Next, we heard from Patti Chiappetta, Executive Director of Innovative LIFE Options Inc. Patti talked about the model of support their organization uses, called In the Company of Friends. She explained that the model was originally launched as a pilot project in Manitoba. Using this model, people with an intellectual disability become employers, hiring and making choices about who supports them and how. This model provides flexibility, allowing people to manage their own lives, with the assistance of their support network – a group of family and friends who help with a variety of things like managing finances or engaging with the community.

Session 3 speakers on a Zoom screen. From top left to bottom right: ASL interpreter, LSQ interpreter, Patti Chiappetta, Emily Branje (moderator), Danny Soucy, Patty O’Donnell, Monica Schroeder.

Session 4 The House that Inclusion Built: The Path Forward

John Cox, longtime People First of Canada member and advocate, presented via recorded video. In an interview-style discussion with support person Catherine Rodgers, John talked about his housing story, falling in love with his wife, and moving to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia to be together. John talked about some of the barriers they faced in trying to access supports to live independently. He explained a recent Nova Scotia court case that is prompting the Government of Nova Scotia to redesign supports for people with disabilities. John and his wife now receive support for things like grocery shopping, meal preparation, and managing their household.

The next speakers were Madison Arsenault and Jody Wheaton. Madison is a Project Coordinator with Inclusive Communities Institute, an initiative of Inclusion NB. Jody is the Director of Development and Donor Relations with Inclusion NB. Together, they shared tips for how to be a good neighbour and create welcoming and inclusive communities. They talked about how inclusive communities benefit everyone and the positive strides they have witnessed in their respective communities.

Katie Bayley is a Building Official and the Training Project Lead with the Alliance of Canadian Building Officials Associations (ACBOA). Along with Matt Farrell, ACBOA’s Executive Director, Katie talked about ways that building officials can contribute to the creation of inclusive and affordable housing in Canada. They shared information about the training ACBOA has developed for the building industry with the goal of:

• Enhancing perspectives
• Discussing social importance
• Educating on regulatory tools, standards, and innovation

Katie and Matt’s PowerPoint is available in English.

The next co-presenters were Donna Brown, President of People First of Canada, and Moira Wilson, President of Inclusion Canada. They presented calls-to-action from People First of Canada and Inclusion Canada’s position statements. Position statements are documents that tell people about the issues that matter to us. They explain our view on these issues and describe the changes we want to see. At the end of their presentation Donna and Moira invited attendees to consider how we can help support the government to make these necessary policy changes.

Donna and Moira’s PowerPoint presentation is available in English.

The last presenter of the day was Rebeccah Bornemann. Rebecca is the Horizontal Housing Policy Manager with Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada. Rebecca spoke about the key elements of Canada’s Housing Plan and the need for governments, not-for-profits, and other organizations to work together to make accessible, affordable housing a reality. She touched on the creation of a Housing Design Catalogue and updates to the National Building Code. In addition to the buildings themselves, Rebecca also spoke about the importance of things like public transit and community centers and how these contribute to creating inclusive and accessible communities.

Session 4 speakers on a Zoom screen. From top left to bottom right: ASL interpreter, LSQ interpreter, Emily Branje (moderator), Matt Farrell, Madison Arsenault, Jody Wheaton, Moira Wilson, Rebeccah Bornemann, Katie Bayley. Missing from the photo: Donna Brown.

Summary and Closing

Lorraine Pelot is the Director General with the Office for Disability Issues. Lorraine joined Shelley Fletcher, Executive Director of People First of Canada and Krista Carr, Executive Vice-President of Inclusion Canada, to wrap-up this year’s event and highlight some of our key learnings.

“I can speak on behalf of government representatives to say that we took note of the recommendations for change that were set out – a very comprehensive list. As a first-time attendee, I found the personal stories and experiences shared by panelists and participants to be very valuable. The opportunity to hear from all of you as self- advocates, provides a very valuable perspective to those of us who participate in the policy forum from the federal government, as well as the opportunity to hear from experts and those who work on accessible and inclusive housing. Thank you very much for sharing your personal stories.”
– Lorraine Pelot, Director General, Office for Disability Issues

Inclusion Canada and People First of Canada gratefully acknowledge the many people who contributed their time and expertise to make this event possible. We would also like to thank the community for coming together to share, learn, and encourage each other in our ongoing pursuit of creating inclusive and accessible communities.