Submissions of ARCH Disability Law Centre to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly regarding Bill 37, An Act to enact the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021 and amend or repeal various acts November 25, 2021 A. Introduction ARCH Disability Law Centre welcomes the opportunity to provide written submissions on Bill 37, An Act to…Read More

Submission of ARCH Disability Law Centre to the Accessible Canada Directorate, Employment and Social Development Canada Regarding the Proposed Guidance and Template for Preparing Accessibility Plans November 30, 2021 Introduction ARCH provides this submission to the Accessible Canada Directorate, Employment and Social Development Canada, regarding the proposed Guidance and Template for Accessibility Plans. ARCH’s submission…Read More

ARCH made a submission to the Post-secondary Education Standards Development Committee regarding its 2021 Initial Recommendations Report. To review ARCH’s full Submission, download it below.…Read More

ARCH made a submission to the K-12 Education Standards Development Committee regarding the 2021 Initial Recommendations Report. To review ARCH’s full Submission, download it below.…Read More

ARCH made a submission to the Health Care Standards Development Committee regarding its 2021 Initial Recommendations Report. To review ARCH’s full Submission, download it below.…Read More

Article written and published in Qualitative Social Work Journal. 2021, Vol. 20 (1-2) 83-89 Go here for the for article on the Qualitative Social Work Journal: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1473325020981755…Read More

July 15, 2021 Introduction ARCH made submissions to the Ministry of Health on proposed Regulations to the  Connecting People to Home and Community Care Act (CPHCCA). This document is a copy of the submissions we made, in an accessible format.  In preparation for making submissions on the proposed regulations, ARCH conducted a survey and held…Read More

Sent via email to john.gross@ontario.ca May 7, 2021 Tamara Kronis, Associate ChairHuman Rights Tribunal of Ontario655 Bay Street, 14th FloorToronto, ON M7A 2A3 Dear Associate Chair Kronis: Re:             ARCH Disability Law Centre’s Comments on the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario’s Proposed Changes to Form 1: Application and Rules of Procedure We write on behalf of ARCH…Read More

OPEN LETTER: Ontario’s COVID-19 Clinical Triage ProtocolDecember 3, 2020 To: Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of OntarioLegislative BuildingQueen’s ParkToronto, ON M7A 1A1Via email: premier@ontario.ca Hon. Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health of OntarioCollege Park 5th Floor,777 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M7A 2J3Via email: Christine.elliott@ontario.ca Hon. Raymond Sung Joon Cho, Minister of Seniors and Accessibility…Read More

Article published in the Canadian Journal of Educational Administration and Policy co-authored by ARCH examines the outdated framework that continues to exist in Ontario which creates ongoing barriers for students with disabilities in accessing inclusive education. To access the paper, go here: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/cjeap/article/view/69850…Read More

Sent via email to hrto.registrar@ontario.ca November 27, 2020 Tamara Kronis, Associate Chair Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario 655 Bay Street, 14th Floor Toronto, ON M7A 2A3 Dear Associate Chair: Re: ARCH Disability Law Centre’s Comments on the Use of Electronic Proceedings at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario I write to you today on behalf of…Read More

Attention: Mark Palmer, Committee ClerkSenate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional AffairsThe Senate of CanadaOttawa, OntarioCanada, K1A 0A4 Sent by email to: lcjc@sen.parl.gc.ca November 25, 2020 Dear Senators,ARCH Disability Law Centre (“ARCH”) makes this submission as part of your pre-study of Bill C-7 – An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying).…Read More

Sent via email to COVIDUpdates@ontariohealth.ca September 1, 2020 Joint Centre for BioethicsUniversity of Toronto155 College Street, Suite 754Toronto, ON M5T 1P8Canada Dear Members of the Bioethics Table: Re:  ARCH Disability Law Centre’s Submissions Regarding Ontario’s Triage Protocol Draft dated July 7, 2020 Following Meetings with Bioethics Table The within document is the written submission of…Read More

August 11, 2020 ARCH Disability Law Centre is deeply concerned by the Ontario Provincial Police’s (OPP) decision not to lay charges against the correctional officers involved in the death of Soleiman Faqiri at the Central East Correctional Centre. ARCH urges the OPP to re-consider its decision and lay criminal charges against those responsible for Mr.…Read More

VIA EMAIL: sylvia.jones@pc.ola.org August 10, 2020 Honourable Sylvia Jones, Solicitor GeneralMinistry of the Solicitor General18th Floor, 25 Grosvenor St.Toronto, ON M7A 1Y6 Dear Solicitor General Jones: Re: Investigation into the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet We are writing on behalf of the Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC) and ARCH Disability Law Centre (ARCH) to demand for…Read More

Submissions of ARCH Disability Law Centre to the Ministry of Health on Proposed Regulations under the Connecting Care Act August 7, 2020 Table of Contents A. IntroductionB. About ARCHC. Clear and Accessible Language RequiredD. Use of the word “Patient” is incorrectE. Location of Services must be Consistent with CRPDF. Modes of Delivery must be accessible…Read More

Sent via email to COVIDUpdates@ontariohealth.ca July 20, 2020 Joint Centre for BioethicsUniversity of Toronto155 College Street, Suite 754Toronto, ON M5T 1P8Canada Dear Ms. Gibson and Mr. Smith: Re:  ARCH Disability Law Centre Submissions and Recommendations Regarding Ontario’s Triage Protocol Draft dated July 7, 2020 The within document is the written submission of ARCH Disability Law…Read More

ARCH Disability Law Centre  Submission to Ontario Ministry of Education Regarding Access to Education for Students with Disabilities during the COVID-19 Crisis To: Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of EducationSent via email: EDU.consultation@Ontario.ca July 3, 2020 I) Introduction In March 2020, Ontario schools closed indefinitely as part of a response to the COVID-19 pandemic with an…Read More

ARCH Disability Law Centre is deeply saddened and decries the deaths of persons with mental health disabilities at the hands of police officers. Over the last three months, at least three persons with mental health disabilities have died in the Toronto and Peel Regions as a result of interactions with police officers. Ejaz Choudry, Regis…Read More

Submissions of ARCH Disability Law Centre to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly Bill 175, Connecting People to Home and Community Care Act, 2020 June 17, 2020 Table of Contents A. IntroductionB. About ARCHC. Issues and RecommendationsI. Persons with Disabilities must be Included in Bill 175 AmendmentsII. Key Provisions Moved from Legislation to RegulationsIII.…Read More

Intervention of ARCH Disability Law Centre submitted to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Telecom and Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2020-124: Call for Comments – Regulations to be made under the Accessible Canada Act June 12, 2020 Table of Contents INTRODUCTIONSUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONSARCH’S RESPONSE TO THE CALL FOR COMMENTSA. CONTENT OF REGULATIONS AND GUIDANCE…Read More

ARCH letter highlights serious concerns about the discriminatory impact of hospital visitation bans on people with disabilities in Ontario. ARCH is calling upon the Government of Ontario to urgently revise the essential visitor definition to ensure that people with disabilities get equal access to hospitals and health care services. The Honourable Doug FordPremier of Ontariodoug.fordco@pc.ola.org…Read More

Sent via email to info@ontariohealth.ca and christine.elliott@pc.ola.org May 13, 2020 Hon. Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of HealthCollege Park, 5th Floor777 Bay StreetToronto, ON M7A 2J3 Mr. Matthew AndersonChief Executive OfficerOntario Health Dear Hon. Minister Elliott and Mr. Anderson: Re: Ontario’s Clinical Triage Protocol for Major Surge in COVID Pandemic We write further to…Read More

April 8, 2020 Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of OntarioLegislative BuildingQueen’s ParkToronto, ON M7A 1A1 Hon. Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health of OntarioCollege Park 5th Floor, 777 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M7A 2J3 Hon. Raymond Sung Joon Cho, Minister of Seniors and Accessibility of OntarioMinistry for Seniors and AccessibilityCollege Park, 5th Floor777 Bay Street,…Read More

Introduction ARCH is pleased to provide this submission to the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) as part of its Phase II Consultation on the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR). Accessible transportation is essential for realizing full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in Canada. Without access to transportation, people with disabilities are…Read More

Sent via email to Piero.Narducci@chrc-ccdp.gc.ca October 18, 2019 Piero NarducciDirector GeneralComplaints Services BranchCanadian Human Rights Commission Dear Mr. Narducci: Re:  ARCH Submissions on the Canadian Human Rights Commission Draft Complaint Rules On September 13, 2019, the Canadian Human Rights Commission (the “Commission”) invited several organizations to participate on a teleconference call to provide feedback on…Read More

Report prepared by ARCH Disability Law Centre and the Canadian Environmental Law Association September 2019 Acknowledgements: ARCH and CELA gratefully acknowledge the following people in the preparation of this report. Authors: Dianne Wintermute, Lawyer (ARCH) and Kathleen Cooper, Senior Researcher and Paralegal (CELA) Legal and Research Assistants: Joshua Patlik and Erica Stahl We are particularly…Read More

Submission – Canada: Community Organizations and Organizations of People with Disabilities Report on the “List of Issues Prior to Reporting” Plain English* version of: Submission of Canadian Civil Society Organizations to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities On the List of Issues Prior to Reporting [Canada] to be adopted during the 22nd…Read More

On the List of Issues Prior to Reporting [Canada] to be adopted during the 22nd Session of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ARCH and numerous disability organizations and groups prepared a submission to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (“Committee”) on July 26, 2019.  The submission…Read More

Joint submission to the Government of Ontario for their consultation related to Ontario’s education system, submitted by ARCH Disability Law Centre, Community Living Ontario, Brockville and District Association for Community Involvement, Inclusion Research Team Brock University, Canadian Research Centre on Inclusive Education Western University and Inclusive Education Canada. PDF and RTF versions of this submission are…Read More

ARCH’s recommended amendments to ensure that Bill C-81, the Accessible Canada Act, achieves its purpose and potential. This resource is part of ARCH’s Advocating for an Accessible Canada initiative. For more information about the initiative, go to: www.archdisabilitylaw.ca/initiatives/advocating-for-accessibility-in-canada PDF and RTF versions of this submission are available at the end of this page. [Le français…Read More

A summary of the legal analysis of Bill C-81, Accessible Canada Act, in plain language. PDF and RTF versions of this summary are available at the end of this page.…Read More

This report provides a legal analysis of Bill C-81, An Act to ensure a barrier free Canada. It incorporates feedback that ARCH received from persons with disabilities and disability organizations on the first draft of this report. This resource is part of ARCH’s Advocating for an Accessible Canada initiative. For more information about the initiative,…Read More

ARCH’s submission on the Third Independent Review of the AODA. The recommendations here should be considered together with ARCH submissions to the past two Independent Reviews and ARCH submissions on the AODA standards.  PDF and RTF versions of this submission are available at the end of this page. Submission to the Honourable David C. Onley Third…Read More

ARCH’s submission on the Initial Recommendations for Review of the Employment Accessibility Standard under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. PDF and RTF versions of this submission are available at the end of this page.…Read More

A Final Report for the extensive research study on the barriers to meaningful and inclusive education from K to 12 in Ontario conducted by ARCH, in partnership with Brock University, Western University, Community Living Ontario, Inclusive Education Canada, and Brockville and District Association for Community Living. This resource is part of ARCH’s Inclusive Education initiative.…Read More

The Vulnerable Person Standard incorporates five evidence-based safeguards intended to protect the lives of Canadians. These safeguards aim to ensure that Canadians requesting assistance from physicians to end their life can do so without jeopardizing the lives of persons in circumstances that make them vulnerable to abuse, coercion, and inducement to suicide. In this submission…Read More

The Canadian Journal of Disability Studies published a paper co-authored by Respecting Rights members Peter Park and Sue Hutton. The paper features use of graphic data on the history of the institutions, and explores the oral stories of  Peter and another survivor of Canada’s institutions for persons labelled with intellectual disability. This resource is part…Read More

The AODA Alliance and ARCH Disability Law Centre present concrete, workable, and much-needed revisions to strengthen Ontario’s 2011 Transportation Accessibility Standard that was enacted under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). This is the final joint submission with recommendations to Ontario’s Transportation Standards Development Committee for the Review of the Transportation Accessibility Standard…Read More

ARCH’s submission on the initial consultation regarding the scope and mandate of the Standards Development Committee developing an Education Standard under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. PDF and RTF versions of this submission are available at the end of this page. July 13, 2017 The Honourable Kathleen WynnePremier of OntarioLegislative Building Queen’s Park…Read More

ARCH submission to the OHRC review of ‘Guidelines on Accessible Education’ outlines major developments in the legal framework around human rights and education since the Guidelines were first published. ARCH’s recommendations  in the submission rely largely on Article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (“CRPD”) as a starting framework. PDF and…Read More

This paper addresses an important legal issue ARCH recommended the Government to address as it developed the proposed federal accessibility legislation: ensuring effective implementation and enforcement of the proposed federal accessibility legislation. ARCH’s Considerations for Effective Implementation and Enforcement of the Proposed Federal Accessibility Legislation were presented to government in its consultation process as it…Read More

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is an international human rights law which protects and promotes the rights of persons with disabilities. Canada ratified the CRPD in 2010. The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a group of independent experts who monitor the implementation of the CRPD.…Read More

ARCH’s submission to Review of Canada’s Accession to the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).  The Optional Protocol (OP) provides two procedures by which the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities can oversee implementation of Convention rights: a complaints procedure for individuals on violations…Read More

This paper is authored by former Education Minister of New Brunswick, Jody Carr, on behalf of ARCH Disability Law Centre, to explore and articulate a framework for reform for the delivery of public education services across Canada that is both accessible and inclusive of all children. Introduction There has been significant evolution in Canadian jurisprudence,…Read More

This paper addresses an important legal issue ARCH recommended the Government to address as it developed the proposed federal accessibility legislation: the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its relationship with the planned federal accessibility legislation. In this paper ARCH provides a legal analysis of the role that the Convention…Read More

Citation: Luke Reid, “Invented Power: An Analysis of the Exclusion Clause in Ontario’s Education Act” in Caroline Spindler Ed., CAPSLE 2016: Bright Lights on Emerging Issues in Education Law, Proceedings of the Twenty-Seventh Annual Conference of the Canadian Association for the Practical Study of Law in Education, held in Toronto, Ontario May 1 – 3, 2016…Read More

PDF and RTF versions of this submission are available at the end of this page. A Call for Safeguards Submission by ARCH Disability Law Centre to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights regarding Bill C–14 An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make related amendments to other Acts (Medical Assistance in…Read More

PDF and RTF versions of this submission are available at the end of this page. Introduction We applaud the government’s introduction of Bill C-6 with the aim of restoring and fostering a diverse, fair and inclusive Canada. We ask the Standing Committee to take this opportunity to strengthen Bill C-6’s reforms by making small but…Read More

PDF and RTF versions of this submission are available at the end of this page. Introduction In this brief, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Alliance and ARCH Disability Law Centre (ARCH) jointly present concrete, workable, and much-needed revisions to strengthen the Customer Service Accessibility Standard. The Ontario Government can easily implement these…Read More

This submission was offered to the Federal External Panel on Options for a Legislative Response to the Supreme Court’s decision on physician-assisted dying in Carter v Canada. The issue of physician-assisted dying has provoked a wide range of responses from the various segments of the communities of persons with disabilities in Ontario. ARCH has gone…Read More

Paper prepared for the OBA Human Rights Annual Update on May 23, 2014. The topic of discussion in this paper revolves around privacy issues that arise when persons with disabilities seek redress before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO). It is likely that confidentiality will not be maintained and intimate details about their disability…Read More

ARCH Co-Authors article published in a special issue of the National Journal of Constitutional Law focused on Social Science Evidence and the Charter, 2013. Citation: John David Lee, C. Tess Sheldon and Roberto Lattanzio, “Law and Ordered C.H.A.O.S.: Social Science Methodology, and the Charter Claims of Persons with Disabilities” (2013) 32 NJCL 1 at 61.…Read More

Paper presented at the Ontario Bar Association’s 2013 Annual Human Rights Update: Keeping on Top of Key Developments Part II. This paper focuses on the Supreme Court of Canada decision in Moore v. British Columbia (Ministry of Education) and the use of a strict comparative analysis when framing and adjudicating statutory human rights claims. In this paper,…Read More

This paper was written for 2010 CAPSLE Conference in Calgary on Inclusive Education and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In 2010, Canada ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), affirming its commitment to inclusive education. In this paper, ARCH discusses universal design as…Read More

A Paper Commissioned by the Council of Canadians with Disabilities and the Canadian Association for Community Living, advancing a set of tools that could be implemented in a Federal Disability Act, and outlining a model legislative framework to illustrate how proposed strategies and tools might interact. This resource is part of ARCH’s Advocating for an…Read More