Persons with Disabilities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 8, 2010

WASYLYCIA-LEIS LAUNCHES BILL TO EXTEND CAREGIVER TAX CREDIT TO SPOUSES OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

WINNIPEG – New Democrat Health Critic Judy Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North) today launched a bill to bolster the family income of persons living with disabilities by extending the ‘caregiver tax credit’ to the spouses of persons with disabilities.

40th PARLIAMENT, 3rd SESSION
UNEDITED HANSARD • NUMBER 009
OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD)
Monday, March 15, 2010

Ms. Judy Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with my colleague, the member for Sudbury.
We join today with all Canadians in acknowledging and celebrating our Paralympics athletic achievement and abilities. These games spotlight our athletes' will to overcome enormous obstacles to contribute their talents and abilities at an internationally competitive level.

This is a day to celebrate, indeed!

It’s taken seven years of persuading, encouraging, cajoling, motions in Parliament and federal coordination to get us here, but we can now say unequivocally that there is a strong consensus in Canada – both inside and outside Parliament – behind the Convention and its principles and clear responsibilities at all levels of government to follow through with action.

40th PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION
EDITED HANSARD • NUMBER 053
CONTENTS
Thursday, May 7, 2009

Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month

Ms. Judy Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North, NDP): Mr. Speaker, this is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month and it is time to recognize the achievements of persons living with disabilities, especially those with spinal cord injuries and all of their advocates through the Canadian Paraplegic Association now serving over 41,000 Canadians.

40th PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION
EDITED HANSARD • NUMBER 039
CONTENTS
Thursday, April 3, 2009

TOY NOISE LIMIT HAZARDOUS PRODUCT ACT

Ms. Judy Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North, NDP) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-357, An Act to amend the Hazardous Products Act (noise limit for children's products).

She said: Mr. Speaker, it is a great privilege to present this bill to the House and I heartily recommend its adoption.

40th PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION
EDITED HANSARD • NUMBER 036
CONTENTS
Monday, March 30, 2009

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Ms. Judy Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, today marks the second anniversary of the signing of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, yet the government refuses to ratify this convention despite the support of Canadians and a unanimous motion passed by the House.

Effort to stop Immigration and Refugee Protection Act’s discrimination against persons with disabilities reinforced by Chris Mason deportation

The recent deportation of Winnipeg resident Christopher Mason has provided yet another dramatic example of a wrong in Canada’s immigration process that quickly needs to be righted.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 19, 2009

WASYLYCIA-LEIS DEMANDS END TO IMMIGRATION ACT’S DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

WINNIPEG – NDP Critic for Persons with Disabilities Judy Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North) today called on the Harper government to act quickly to end the Immigration Act’s built-in discrimination against persons with disabilities. The call comes in the wake of the deportation this morning of Winnipeg resident Christopher Mason.

“Kicking Chris Mason out of Canada because he became physically disabled is intolerable,” says Wasylycia-Leis. “We say we don’t discriminate – Canada has even signed international treaties pledging we won’t – yet the Immigration Act effectively says: ‘Everyone is welcome in Canada except persons with disabilities. Get lost.’ Canadians don’t support this approach and the government should move as quickly as possible to get rid of it.”

OTTAWA – On the one year anniversary of Canada signing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, NDP leader Jack Layton and NDP Critic for Persons with Disabilities Judy Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North) called on the government to deliver on its commitments.

"The average Canadian doesn't have to think twice about whether or not we should be working to improve the lives of persons with disabilities," said Layton. "So why is the government having second thoughts? Ordinary Canadians fully support the principle of fair access, and expect the government to follow through on its commitments."

WINNIPEG – NDP Critic for Persons with Disabilities Judy Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North) has introduced a bill in Parliament to eliminate a hurdle to immigration for applicants with disabilities who have been approved by provincial nominee programs.

“This bill will right a wrong in the Immigration Act that gives overseas officers the power to keep applicants with a disability out of Canada,” says Wasylycia-Leis. “Excluding immigrants who would otherwise qualify, on the basis of their disability, shows the government is still hung up on unfair and out-dated assumptions and stereotypes.”