Human Rights

NEADS webinar on ethno-cultural perspectives on the Convention on The Rights of Persons With Disabilities (CRPD)

• January 28, 2020
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on NEADS webinar on ethno-cultural perspectives on the Convention on The Rights of Persons With Disabilities (CRPD)

On January 29, 2020, the National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) is hosting a webinar on ethno-cultural perspectives on the Convention on The Rights of Persons With Disabilities (CRPD) to learn more about intersectionality and the rights of persons with disabilities in Canada, and how various organizations use human rights perspective to ensure rights, inclusion and equality of persons with disabilities. » Read the rest

OAP extended as government bridges programs currently in place

• January 24, 2020
• Amanda Dimilta
• Comments Off on OAP extended as government bridges programs currently in place

Today the provincial government expanded the OAP program such that children currently accessing services may have their programs extended until the new needs-based plan comes into effect in 2021:

“If you have an existing behaviour plan, it can be extended with no gap in service up to its current level of intensity, or less where clinically appropriate, until you transition into core services in the new needs-based autism program.” » Read the rest

Thoughts from our intern

• December 18, 2019
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Thoughts from our intern

Konstantina Nikolakis is a 4th year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto completing her Bachelors of Arts degree in Communications, Culture, Information and Technology (CCIT) and majoring in Diaspora studies . She joined bakerlaw as a summer intern following the completion of her 3 year at UofT for 3 months. » Read the rest

Federal Court Decision, Berger v. Canada (Attorney General)

• December 16, 2019
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Federal Court Decision, Berger v. Canada (Attorney General)

On June 4, 2019, The Federal Court of Appeal released their decision emphasizing that the definition of disability under the Canada Pension Plan (“CPP”) is “highly restrictive,” and will not apply to all individuals who experience prolonged health challenges if “they are found to be capable regularly of pursuing a substantially gainful occupation.” » Read the rest

Cuts to provincial funding result in backlogs, delays for administrative tribunals

• December 13, 2019
• Amanda Dimilta
• Comments Off on Cuts to provincial funding result in backlogs, delays for administrative tribunals

Administrative tribunals were created to offer expertise in specialized areas of law, and to be an accessible alternative to civil court proceedings for the residents of Ontario. These tribunals manage disputes related to landlord and tenant issues, employment discrimination, access to public education, and availability of social benefits, among many others. » Read the rest

David Baker reviews “Mental Health Disabilities at Work: A Practical Guide for Employees, Employers and Unions”

• December 11, 2019
• David Baker
• Comments Off on David Baker reviews “Mental Health Disabilities at Work: A Practical Guide for Employees, Employers and Unions”

Mental Health Disabilities at Work: A Practical Guide for Employees, Employers and Unions, by Dr. Mike Condra and Meryl Gary: 2019: Lancaster House

Lancaster House: $65.00

Mental health cases have suffered for years from the stigma of being treated differently from other disability based human rights cases. » Read the rest

Human Rights Day 2019

• December 10, 2019
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Human Rights Day 2019

Today marks the 69th annual Human Rights Day, which celebrates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as put forth by the United Nations in 1948.

This year’s theme for the celebration is “Youth Standing Up for Human Rights.”

On this celebratory day, the United Nations aims to champion “the potential of youth as constructive agents of change, amplify their voices, and engage a broad range of global audiences in the promotion and protection of rights.” » Read the rest

Housing to Become a Human Right in Canada

• October 4, 2019
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Housing to Become a Human Right in Canada

The Canadian Government has introduced the National Housing Strategy Act that affirms housing as a human right. The Act will invest more than $55 billion over the next ten years to give Canadians safe and affordable housing. For years, advocates and the public have been pushing the government to help the 1.7 million people across Canada that are in need of housing. » Read the rest

Petition to Reform the Assistive Devices Program

• September 5, 2019
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Petition to Reform the Assistive Devices Program

The Disability Justice Network of Ontario (DJNO) has started a petition to change the current Assistive Devices Program (ADP) that makes it extremely difficult for people with disabilities to access the devices they need.

The ADP is chronically underfunded and understaffed; requiring people to wait multiple months for their devices and pay for their own repair costs, which in many cases can reach thousands of dollars. » Read the rest

Update: ODSP definition change will pose a difficulty for persons with mental health disabilities

• August 29, 2019
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Update: ODSP definition change will pose a difficulty for persons with mental health disabilities

On December 7, 2018, we posted an article related to Ontario’s recent change to the definition of disability. You can read this post here (link).

David Baker and Gail Czukar wrote an article for the Toronto star on December 17, 2018 regarding the changes in the definition of “disability” in the ODSP Act. » Read the rest