Canadian government is committed to creating environments for independent living

On the 25th of May, the Honorable Carla Qualtrough, Canada’s Minister of Sports and Persons with Disabilities, issued a statement to recognize World MS Day and to reinforce her commitment to working for people with disabilities in their country.

Making a clear reference to our ‘independence’ theme , the Minister declared that, “the Government of Canada is committed to supporting Canadians with disabilities and helping to create environments where they can be independent and participate equally in their communities and workplaces. Removing barriers and creating opportunities for a more active and prosperous society is good for our collective health and for our economy.”

As our Global MS Employment Report demonstrates, effective changes and adaptations could keep more people with MS in work, for instance, through adaptations in the workplace or access to treatments. Governments and policy-makers commitment to improving the work conditions of people with disabilities is in turn crucial to ensure people with MS’s access to work.

The Minister added that one of her priorities is “to lead an engagement process with provinces, territories, municipalities and stakeholders that will lead to the passage of federal accessibility legislation. I am eager to hear from all Canadians during the engagement process, and I invite and encourage everyone to get involved in the conversation.”

You can read Carla Qualtrough’s full statement on the Government of Canada’s website.