Bakerlaw
4711 Yonge Street, Suite 509 M2N 6K8 Toronto, ON, Canada

Supreme Court upholds Genetic Non-Discrimination Act, protecting Canadians from discrimination based on genetic characteristics Genetic testing has never been more accessible. A genetic test can tell you about your ancestry, or tell your doctor important information about your health. The information from a genetic test, however, is highly personal. It would be a breach of your privacy if that information fell into the wrong hands. [ 734 more words ] https://www.bakerlaw.ca//supreme-court-upholds-genetic-no/

Acknowledging that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected Canadians with disabilities, the federal government in its most recent throne speech unveiled its Disability Inclusion Plan. In addition to a robust employment strategy, the plan includes the development of a new Canadian Disability Benefit (CDB) modelled after the Guaranteed Income Supplement. While the Council of Canadians with Disabilities has praised the government’s plan for using a disability lens when developing its national work, others have been critical of the CDB’s ability to support Canadians with disabilities. [ 153 more words ] https://www.bakerlaw.ca//throne-speech-unveils-new-canadi/

Following the release of his new book, Deaf Politician - The Gary Malkowski Story, Citizens with Disabilities - Ontario will be hosting a webinar surrounding the life and remarkable accomplishments of Gary Malkowski. The webinar will take place over Zoom on Friday, October 9th at 3 p.m. E.D.T. You can register for the event here (link). The Deaf Politician is a biography of former Ontario MPP Gary Malkowski. [ 81 more words ] https://www.bakerlaw.ca//deaf-politician-the-gary-malkows/

Bakerlaw's David Baker has been honored by Autism Ontario as a recipient of the 2020 Gerry Bloomfield Award for his outstanding professional contributions to the field of Autism Spectrum Disorders. David has and continues to act as an advocate for families of children on the autism spectrum on human rights matters, particularly in the areas of education and intervention. Congrats David! You can learn more about the Bloomfield Award, as well as the work of Autism Ontario here (link) https://www.bakerlaw.ca//david-baker-receives-the-2020-ge/

People with disabilities are experiencing difficulties finding and maintaining employment during this pandemic. While these challenges existed prior to the pandemic, jobs are more limited now and this is negatively impacting people with disabilities. TVO’s Employable Me is a six-part documentary series that explores the growing difficulties experienced by people who have physical disabilities and/or neurological conditions from finding steady employment. [ 69 more words ] https://www.bakerlaw.ca//employment-barriers-for-people-w/

Throughout this pandemic, there has been a lot of coverage on Long-Term Care Homes (LTCH), with particular focus on living conditions, death rates, and general health care of the residents. The Seniors for Social Action (Ontario) organization has launched its new website offering information to individuals who want to be involved in making a positive change for residents in LTCHs. If you are interested in learning how you can self-advocate for you or your loved ones living in LTCHs, visit the SSAO’s website here (link) for more information. If you have a concern about yourself or a loved one in a Long-Term Care Home, contact us (link). https://www.bakerlaw.ca//get-involved-making-positive-cha/

Among those severely impacted by the pandemic, Canadians with disabilities have been the hardest-hit. CBC News has reported on recent calls by disability advocates for the federal government to better support this group, which has been struggling with new barriers created by the pandemic. Such challenges have included the mental health impacts associated with the prolonged isolation caused by pandemic containment measures. [ 52 more words ] https://www.bakerlaw.ca//federal-covid-19-supports-for-ca/

As the pandemic rages on, governments across the country prepare for an impending second wave. CBC News reports on some key highlights from this week's throne speech, which outlines federal priorities with respect to the pandemic. Among these priorities is the development of a Canadian disability benefit, which to aims to support Canadians with disabilities during the pandemic. You can read the full article here (link). https://www.bakerlaw.ca/news/highlights-from-the-throne/

In the midst of a global pandemic, the return to school for Ontario students has been a source of anxiety for many parents and caregivers across the province. For students with disabilities, the return to school poses a number of challenges. In its article dated September 2, 2020, TVO wrote about the failure of Ontario’s back-to-school plan to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities. [ 91 more words ] https://www.bakerlaw.ca//ontarios-back-to-school-plan-fai/

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone. City News Toronto has written about the impact the pandemic has had on those who receive Ontario Disability Support Payments (ODSP). The article highlights how some ODSP recipients have, or are are considering applying for medical assistance in dying (MAiD). You can read the full article here (link). Bakerlaw's has previously commented on the dangers associated with MAiD criteria which do not provide sufficient safeguards for vulnerable people. You can read more about our work on this issue here (link). https://www.bakerlaw.ca/news/odsp-recipients-consider-maid/

On Friday, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association won its case which challenged Ontario’s anti-carbon tax stickers. In 2019, the Ontario Government mandated that all gas stations had to display a sticker on gas pumps. The sticker's message clearly opposed the Federal carbon tax and was therefore a partisan political message. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has ruled that the requirement to display the sticker was unconstitutional. [ 60 more words ] https://www.bakerlaw.ca//anti-carbon-tax-stickers-unconst/

PooranLaw has provided an overview of the changes made to the Ontario Autism Program and offers some guidance on the New Brunswick Court of Appeal decision regarding the Federal Child Support Guidelines for adults with disabilities. You can read about this here (link). On September 30th, PooranLaw is offering a free webinar regarding disability support payments for adults with disabilities. You can register for the webinar on their website (link). https://www.bakerlaw.ca//pooranlaw-offers-free-webinar-on/

Interested in influencing Accessibility Standards Canada's (ASC) direction and research priorities? ASC has launched an online survey for Canadians to have their say. You can access the survey here (link). More information can be found on their consultation page here (link). Canadians have until September 18th to participate. https://www.bakerlaw.ca//accessibility-standards-canada-c/

Looking for ways to support Black Lives Matter and learn more about it? Scholar Strike Canada has an impressive line up of digital "Teach-Ins". You can find the schedule here (link). https://www.bakerlaw.ca//scholar-strike-seminars-in-suppo/