The BC Association for Community Living works in partnership with our national counterpart, The Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL), to advocate for community living at a national and international level. Visit our National Organization section to see other ways BCACL works with CACL on a national level.
The Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) has identified three issues for the October 14 Federal election:
Other Federal Election 2008 Resources:
Voting Information for Self Advocates
Federal Election Overview
Hosting an All-Candidates Debate
Questions for an All-Candidates Debate
Candidate Pledge Card
Election 2008 Media:
Farmers, Families of Disabled Promised Help - National Post, September 19, 2008
Disability Issues Get Profile on the Campaign Trail - CACL Press Release, September 19, 2008CACL Press Release in response to Federal Budget 2008
The federal government released its Budget on February 26, 2008. The Canadian Association for Community Living issues a press release in response to the budget - click here to read it. For more information on the budget, visit the Federal Budget 2008 webpage.
BCACL Urges Federal Government to Ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) - September 26, 2008- BCACL strongly urges the Federal Government to help promote and protect the principles of dignity and justice for all persons around the world, by supporting the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), before October 3, 2008. BCACL has written to the Hon. David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, urging him to make ratification a reality. Click here to read the letter.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is December 3 - Dignity and justice for all of us is the theme of this year’s International Day for Persons with Disabilities, as well as for the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Click here for more information on United Nations Enable.
Federal Budget 2008: Some Benefits but Lacking Vision - February 2008 - CACL has responded to the latest Federal Budget with a press release detailing the small changes that provide tax credits and benefits to persons with disabilities, and also noting that the overal budget "lacks vision on social policy and does little to combat poverty.
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) - Information Brochure Now Available - The Registered Disability Savings Plan became law on December 14, 2007 and will become available at financial institutions in late 2008. British Columbia is the first province to exempt the RDSP as an asset when a person's eligibility for provincial disability benefits is determined. Click here for more information.
The Federal Court of Appeal rejects bid by Air Canada and WestJet challenging the one-person, one-fare policy - May 5, 2008 - The airlines argued that charging a single fare to disabled passengers and their attendents would be a financial hardship. The court rejected their appeal in a ruling handed down on May 5. Click here for more information.
'One Person, One Fare' removes transportation barrier for people with disabilities - January 2008 - The Canadian Transportation Agency released a landmark decision concerning the right of individuals with disabilities to travel by air without having to pay for a second seat, for an attendant or other use, to accommodate their disability. In a historic decision in the "One Person, One Fare” case, the agency has recognized the right of these individuals to have access to a second seat when traveling by air in Canada without having to pay a second fare. Click here to read the Press Release about this from the Council of Canadians with Disabilities.