I thought we were on Canada's team.
I have stood at podiums and sat on panels like this many times before. I have done it in my own community, in my province, and across the country. I have presented at the United Nations and now at the heart of my country's government, here at Parliament. I have spoken about issues like closing institutions and making schools more inclusive. I have spoken for my community on behalf of others and for myself.
Today I am here to speak to you about employment issues. I thought I would use my own experiences. When I introduced myself, I told you some things about my life. Here are some other things about me.
I was put in a residential school when I was young and didn't receive a very good education. I don't have my grade 12. I have worked in a sheltered workshop. All my life I have struggled to be employed and support myself and my family. When I was a young man looking for my first job, I didn't have my grade 12 education and I wanted to work in maintenance. I did more training to try to get those jobs. I got my boiler papers, but didn't have my high school diploma. I would apply for jobs in the field, but didn't get hired even with my papers. I kept trying to work and eventually I got a job with a lawn care company. I worked for it for a while before I decided to start my own yard care company. I knew the work and the equipment and I liked doing it. I started advertising and got my own customers and kept going from there. I was around 30 then so I have been in the business for 20 years.
The work is seasonal. When Mother Nature is your boss, life is often about feast or famine. That is the way I have been living for a long time. I have wanted to get other work but it is difficult. I have more challenges than other people when it comes to being employed. Some of those challenges are because of my disability, but others are not.
My most recent challenge in employment is that I found a job but I didn't know if I should or could take it. I needed a job, but the employer's philosophy was not what I believe. Everyone who works at this business has a disability, except for management. I could see the words I had fought against all my life: segregation, congregation, and isolation. I could also see a paycheque, my bills paid, food on the table, and gas in the car. As an activist, I did not want this job, I did not want to give up my ethics and beliefs for a paycheque linked to my disability and nothing else. As a responsible husband and father, I needed this job. I wanted to provide for my family and for our future.
This is my challenge, but it is also yours. Employment for people with intellectual disabilities is not about a party or a political affiliation. It is about people, about dignity and respect, and about rights.
I support people with intellectual disabilities in my country. To be included and valued: all parties in our government must also choose these values to help increase not only the employment opportunities, but also the real employment of people with intellectual disabilities.
Thank you.