Today, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, participated in the 2022 Global Disability Summit, during which the Minister highlighted past commitments Canada made on disability inclusion in international assistance.
February 17, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada
At home and abroad, Canada is committed to increasing the meaningful participation of people with disabilities in the design and implementation of programs, policies and initiatives.
Today, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, participated in the 2022 Global Disability Summit, during which the Minister highlighted past commitments Canada made on disability inclusion in international assistance. These commitments include signing onto the Global Disability Summit Charter for Change, honouring Canada’s G7 $400-million commitment to girls’ education, and hosting the 2019 Global Action on Disability Network Annual General Meeting.
Minister Qualtrough also referred to Canada’s new commitments, which include supporting local disability rights organizations in developing countries and advancing disability inclusion in the paid and unpaid care agenda.
She addressed the Together for Learning Campaign, Canada’s three -year international campaign to promote quality education and lifelong learning for refugees, forcibly displaced, and host-community children and youth. As part of the campaign, Canada will reaffirm its commitment to inclusive education and lifelong learning opportunities for all children and youth around the world during this year’s Together for Learning Summit.
“Human rights and inclusion for all marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities, are at the heart of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy. A new series of commitments has been put forward by Canada at this year’s Global Disability Summit. In line with my mandate to provide greater assistance to people with disabilities in developing countries, we will focus on strengthening disability inclusive programming and advocacy, together with our partners.”
– Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada
“The inclusion of persons with disabilities in every part of society – at home and around the world – is a priority for Canada. We’re proud to join the Global Disability Summit to participate in an important meeting that puts disability inclusion at the centre. It’s an opportunity for Canada to show leadership in this vital work, and also to learn from others how we can build a barrier-free country and world.”
– Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
An estimated 15% of the world’s population (that is, 1 billion people) lives with a disability; this percentage is higher in situations of armed conflict (source: World Report on Disability, World Health Organization and World Bank, 2011).
Children with disabilities are more likely to be denied access to quality education (source: World Report on Disability, World Health Organization and World Bank, 2011).
The meaningful inclusion of persons with disabilities around the world is a priority for Canada and is in line with our efforts under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Canada is committed to supporting the education of the world’s most marginalized, including refugee, other forcibly displaced children and youth, and the communities that host them.
Canada strongly supports the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Together for Learning Summit: Engaging Displaced Youth to Transform Education, which will take place from March 30 to 31, 2022, will be centred on the perspectives of displaced youth and their advice on inclusive and quality education systems.
Jane Deeks
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
jane.deeks@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca