Thank you for having us here today.
I'm going to start by briefly telling you who People First of Canada is. We are the national voice of Canadians labelled with an intellectual disability.
I was going to do a PowerPoint, but we had some technical difficulties, so I have to read off my slides. I apologize. The following information represents the current views of People First of Canada on employment for people with intellectual disabilities.
People with intellectual disabilities should have choice and opportunity to earn a living through paid employment in the labour market. Employers must be open to a diverse workforce. Job accommodations and supports need to be provided where needed, and wages should be equal to those of persons without disabilities.
Historically, people with intellectual disabilities have been placed in sheltered workshops and long-term make-work projects on the assumption that people were thought to be unemployable. In these workshops, the work is devalued and the pay is often less than $2 a day. Furthermore, people are congregated and segregated in these work placements.
We believe that all people have value; that people labelled with intellectual disabilities are the untapped labour market and bring a wealth of skills and talent to the workplace; and that with appropriate supports, labelled people have proven to be loyal, reliable, conscientious employees. Research shows that these people are sustainable employees. This means in plain language that they don't job-hop.
I am going to read a quote from the Hon. Philip Lee, who is the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba:
We're recognizing employers today for doing the right thing for others. But we're also recognizing them for being smart. It's good business to connect with workers who really want to contribute. It's good business to make accommodations that help you retain workers who are committed to what they do.
For people with intellectual disabilities, accommodations include plain language, the right to an adviser—and in our world, an adviser is a person without an intellectual disability—and job-related accommodations.
Plain language is critical for people labelled with an intellectual disability. Plain language helps make information more accessible and understandable. People with intellectual disabilities have the right to full benefits of employment beyond a paycheque. There are social, personal, and community benefits that come from being in the regular workforce, not in a sheltered work environment.
What can People First do? We can continue to educate members about their rights and their responsibilities in relation to the workforce in Canada. We can work with employers to promote the benefits of hiring people labelled with an intellectual disability, and we will continue to promote real work for real pay for all Canadians.
We will ensure that all citizens with intellectual disabilities have the right and the opportunity to work and be employed; ensure that sheltered workshops are not options for employment of people with intellectual disabilities; and ensure that job accommodations are provided so that people with intellectual disabilities can be employed.
What you, the government, can do is increase employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. Working together, all parties can help make positive change in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by helping to ensure equal and valued employment.
Thank you. I'm going to turn the mike over to Shane Haddad. Shane is the president of People First of Canada and resides in Regina.