Canada and the CRPD
Canada has not yet ratified the CRPD. Ratification means that a country agrees to abide by the standards set in a Convention. However, Canada participated in the signing ceremony at the United Nations in March 2007. By participating in the signing ceremony, Canada signaled its future intention to ratify the Convention. Canada did not indicate that it would ratify the Optional Protocol.
CCD commends the Government of Canada for the leadership it demonstrated during the CRPD's development phase. CCD hopes Canada's ratification of the CRPD and the Optional Protocol will occur in the near future. CCD has shared its expectations with Government of Canada representatives.
Recent Work
March 11, 2010
Canada Ratifies United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Joy and celebration are the two primary emotions felt today by many Canadians with disabilities as the Government of Canada ratifies the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) at the United Nations. Canada today pledged to be governed by the CRPD, the newest international human rights treaty which boldly articulates a human rights framework for addressing the exclusion and lack of access people with disabilities have encountered in Canada and in all societies.
Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon, far left, observes as U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, second from left, meets members of the Canadian delegation, including CCD's Steve Estey. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
March 3, 2010
MPs Back to Work to Tackle Unfinished Business
The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) is pleased that Members of Parliament are back to work. Now the Government of Canada can make good on a commitment made on 3 December 2009: Ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Read more.
December 3, 2009
Government of Canada Tables in the House The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Canadians with Disabilities Celebrate This Milestone Event
Today, Minister Peter MacKay, on behalf of the Government of Canada, tabled in the House the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). This is the final step in the process of Ratification of the Convention, one that has been eagerly awaited by Canadians with disabilities. Read more.
More on Canada and the CRPD
September 15, 2009
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
March 30, 2009
Pressure Mounting for Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
March 23, 2007
CCD, CACL, CAILC and Amnesty International Applaud Canada's Support for CRPD
March 20, 2007
Canada Signs UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
December 9, 2005
Panel Presentation by Alex Neve, Secretary General of Amnesty International (Canada)
December 9, 2005
Panel Presentation by Andrew Begg, First Secretary Mission of New Zealand to UNHQ in New York City
Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon, far left, observes as U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, second from left, meets members of the Canadian delegation including Steven Estey, center, with the Council of Canadians with Disabilities; Traci Walters, second from right, with Independent Living Canada; and the Canadian Association for Community Living President Bendina Miller, far right, at the United Nations in New York, Thursday March 11, 2010. Canada ratified the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a historic first international treaty that comprehensively recognizes the rights of persons with disabilities. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)