Today, Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, on behalf of Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, Kamal Khera, highlighted two projects led by organizations in the Northwest Territories that each received $100,000 in funding under the Small Projects component of the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF).  

The Small Projects component of the EAF provides funding to organizations for small-scale construction, renovation or retrofit projects that enable persons with disabilities to live and work in more inclusive and accessible communities. Grant funding can be up to $100,000 per project.

Projects may enable a child with a visual impairment to participate in community activities, or make it possible for a person who uses a wheelchair to access his or her place of work. These projects will build communities that are more accessible to persons with disabilities, enabling them to fully participate in day-to-day life and access important community services. 

Today’s announcement will support the construction of an accessible exterior ramp at Northwest Territories/Nunavut Council of Friendship Centres’ office in Yellowknife, and the construction of a new accessible preschool playground in Délı̨nę. These projects are excellent examples of how, by working with organizations, the Government of Canada continues to break down barriers to accessibility advancing the inclusion of persons with disabilities and reinforcing its commitment to create a barrier-free country.

The EAF is a federal grants and contributions program that supports construction projects across Canada that improve the accessibility, safety and inclusion of persons with disabilities in our communities. The program helps provide vital accessible infrastructure such as ramps, automatic doors and accessible washrooms. It directly supports organizations so they can offer programs, services and employment opportunities to persons with disabilities.

Quotes

“When barriers to accessibility and inclusion are removed, Canadians with disabilities can participate fully, helping our communities thrive and our economy prosper. This is why I am so excited to see organizations working to help improve accessibility and further disability inclusion in the Northwest Territories. In many ways the projects supported by the Enabling Accessibility Fund make a world of difference to persons with disabilities and help us move forward together towards a more disability inclusive Canada.”
–Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, Kamal Khera

“Building a more inclusive Canada takes a lot of work, but it's important work that must be done. Thanks to the Enabling Accessibility Fund, the Government of Canada has been able to support organizations in the Northwest Territories. Together, we are working hard to make our community more accessible for persons with disabilities. Improving accessibility benefits all Canadians.”
– Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories, Michael McLeod

“We have mental health programs under the Indian Residential School Resolution Health Support Program, we offer one-on-one emotional support, wellness/ healing Initiatives, advocate and referrals to/from Residential School Survivors and their Families/Intergenerational. Plus we also have multiple programs for the Indigenous people. Having a ramp with access to the building and services, will benefit clients who have Issues with chronic to mild conditions of walking. With this access, individuals will not be restricted to accessing our Services.”

– Northwest Territories/Nunavut Council of Friendship Centres Program Manager, Chris Pereira

“This playground holds immense significance as it promotes inclusivity and accessibility for children with varying abilities. It serves as a space where children in our community can come together, play, and learn together, fostering a sense of unity and understanding from an early age. We believe that providing an accessible playground will not only benefit the children and families in our community but will also have a positive impact on the broader community by setting an example of inclusion.”

– Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government Director of Education, Debra English

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada has funded over 6,000 projects since the establishment of the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) in 2007, helping thousands of Canadians gain access to programs, services and employment opportunities in their communities.

• Through Budget 2021, the Government of Canada committed to $100 million over two years, starting in 2021-22, to triple funding for the EAF, making communities and workplaces more accessible for persons with disabilities by reducing barriers to employment, activities, and programs. An additional $25 million over two years was committed to support children with disabilities by helping childcare centres to make physical upgrades to improve the accessibility of their facilities.

• Budget 2022 furthers these actions with an investment of $25 million in funding from 2022 through to 2027 to support the production and distribution of accessible reading materials for Canadians with print disabilities. This will help to promote the economic and social inclusion of persons with print disabilities and help to create a barrier-free Canada.

• The Government launched Canada’s first-ever Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) on October 7, 2022. The Action Plan includes policies, programs, and investments that the government is undertaking to improve the lives of persons with disabilities in Canada. The DIAP will complement the Accessible Canada Act and help create a more inclusive Canada.
  
  

Associated Links

Enabling Accessibly Fund

Hiring persons with disabilities

Making an accessible Canada for persons with disabilities