cbm Canada congratulates Canadian Government on Ratification

Stouffville, ON – March 12, 2010 - "cbm Canada applauds the Canadian government for ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” says Ed Epp, Executive Director of cbm Canada.

“All of Canada will benefit from the recognition that people with disabilities have the right and ability to be full participants in mainstream society,” says Epp.

Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon announced the ratification yesterday on the eve of the Paralympic Games in Vancouver, stating that Canada “is committed to promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and enabling their full participation in society.’’

 “This decision by the Canadian Government has the potential to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities around the world, as the Convention is applied to all aspects our of federal policy – including Canada’s international development policy,” says Epp.

cbm Canada is a leading Christian humanitarian agency that focuses on helping  people in with disabilities in the poorest countries of the world.
 
“More than 600 million people in the world live with some form of disability,” says Epp. “Seventy per cent live in developing countries, and 82% live below the poverty line. Disability and poverty go hand in hand.”

By ratifying the landmark agreement that protects the rights of people of disabilities, Canada is helping to take steps to achieve the Millennium Development Goals of eradicating poverty.

“This ratification will not only impact thousands of lives in Canada, but it will also impact millions around the world, he adds.

www.cbmcanada.org

Media Contact:

Sandy Hazell
National Media Coordinator
cbm Canada
shazell@cbmcanada.org
1-800-567-2264, ext 246
416-302-3166 (cell)