Question Period Note: Canada’s implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

How is the Government going to address the recommendations from the United Nations on areas to improve its implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities?

The Government takes its responsibilities under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities seriously and is working across federal, provincial, and territorial jurisdictions on the review of the UN Committee’s concluding observations.

In the spirit of ‘Nothing without Us’, the Government has established a collaborative relationship with the disability community. This important engagement will help support Canada’s implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, including addressing the UN recommendations.

IF PRESSED (How is the Government going to work with provinces and territories to implement the CRPD?)

The Government is committed to working across all jurisdictions to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are protected in Canada.

A number of permanent mechanisms have been established to facilitate a cooperative approach to implementing international human rights treaties such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities . These fora promote interjurisdictional discussions and collaborative efforts and serve as platforms for sharing best practices, aligning priorities, and devising harmonized strategies to enhance the lives of persons with disabilities.

Canada ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in March 2010. The CRPD is an international human rights treaty aimed at promoting, protecting and ensuring the equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons with disabilities. The CRPD includes 50 Articles, dealing with virtually every aspect of life, including education, employment, standard of living, access to health care, access to information and others. Many of the Articles concern issues that are largely within provincial/territorial jurisdiction.

Reporting to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Committee)

All countries (i.e. States Parties) that have ratified the CRPD are expected to submit an initial report to the Committee on their implementation of the CRPD within two years of ratifying the CRPD and every four years thereafter, or as requested by the Committee. The Committee is the body of independent experts which monitors implementation of the CRPD by States Parties.

Canada submitted its initial report in 2014 and appeared before the Committee in 2017 to respond to questions related to that report. Canada submitted an interim report in 2018, addressing two of the Committee’s recommendations: (1) withdraw Canada’s declaration and reservations to Article 12 (Equal Recognition Before the Law) and (2) address multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.

Canada submitted its combined second and third periodic reports in 2022 and appeared before the Committee in Geneva in March 2025. The UN Committee has indicated that Canada’s next report is expected to be due in April 2032, but the exact date will be communicated at a later time.

Optional Protocol (OP)

Canada acceded to the OP to the CRPD in December 2018 with support of all provinces and territories. The OP, which is a supplementary treaty, does not create any new substantive rights, but provides an international complaint mechanism for individuals or groups who believe their rights under the CRPD have been violated, after exhausting all domestic remedies.

Designated Monitoring Body – Article 33

As part of the Accessible Canada Act, which received royal assent in 2019, the Government of Canada expanded and formalized the monitoring role of the Canadian Human Rights Commission by designating it as a monitoring body for the Government of Canada’s implementation of the CRPD.

Engagement with civil society and Indigenous partners

The Government has established a collaborative working relationship with civil society organizations and Indigenous partners on Canada’s work on the CRPD. Examples include:

In 2019, the Government provided funding to the disability community to support participation and facilitate opportunities for the disability community to engage internationally on the CRPD. The disability community developed a Canadian civil society parallel report that identified priorities for Canada’s ongoing implementation efforts. Funding was also used to support travel to Geneva for Canada’s appearance. National Indigenous Organizations also received funding for their own distinctions-based parallel reports and to travel to Geneva for this appearance.

The Government hosted a virtual engagement session with the disability community prior to Canada’s appearance in 2025 at the UN as an opportunity for the Government to hear from organizations about their priorities and perspectives on Canada’s implementation of the CRPD.

Canada submitted its most recent report on its implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2022 and appeared before the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in March 2025 to answer questions about Canada’s implementation of the CRPD.

Following Canada’s appearance, the UN Committee adopted the Concluding Observations, which include a summary of what was heard and recommendations to improve Canada’s implementation of the CRPD.

The Concluding Observations identify a range of areas the UN Committee recommends Canada address to improve its implementation of the CRPD, including mainstreaming the rights of children with disabilities, repealing Track 2 of the Medical Assistance in Dying provision and federal government leadership on CRPD implementation, especially around the employment of persons with disabilities.

Implementation of the CRPD in Canada is a shared responsibility, with federal, provincial and territorial governments responsible for implementing the treaty within their respective jurisdictions. As the Minister of Jobs and Families, with the responsibility for advancing accessibility and disability inclusion, it was an honour to represent Canada at the United Nations this week. This year marks the 15th anniversary of Canada’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which continues to guide our work to build a country free from barriers, where no one is left behind. By sharing our experiences, learning from other nations and collaborating with our allies, we are joining forces to build a truly accessible, inclusive and equitable future for all.” (Quote from June 12, 2025 news release for participation at Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities).