Green Party Makes the Accessible Canada Pledge to Over 8 Million People with Disabilities in Canada – Will the Other Federal Parties Do the Same?

ACCESSIBILITY FOR ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT ALLIANCE

News Release – For Immediate Release

Green Party Makes the Accessible Canada Pledge to Over 8 Million People with Disabilities in Canada – Will the Other Federal Parties Do the Same?

April 11, 2025 Toronto: The Green Party of Canada has become the first federal party to make the Accessible Canada Pledge to over 8 million people with disabilities. Over two dozen major disability organizations have co-signed an open letter that calls on federal party leaders to make the “Accessible Canada Pledge to meet the urgent needs of over 8 million people with disabilities in Canada. The AODA Alliance made the Accessible Canada Pledge public on March 20, 2025.

The Accessible Canada Pledge aims to ensure that the sluggish implementation and enforcement of the Accessible Canada Act becomes swift, strong and effective, that air passengers with disabilities stop suffering horrific mistreatment by Canadian airlines, and that the Canada Disabilities Benefit Act fulfils its purpose of lifting people with disabilities out of poverty.

“We’re delighted that the Green Party has made the Accessible Canada Pledge and call on all other party leaders in our spirit of non-partisanship to meet or beat the Greens’ pledge,” said AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky. “Donald Trump’s unfair trade war against Canada is an extremely important issue in this election, but it is not the only issue. Millions of voters with disabilities deserve to know how each party will address their urgent issues.”

On April 8, 2025, a consortium of 13 major disability organizations held a Candidates debate on disability issues in Toronto. Candidates from the Liberal Party, the NDP and the Green Party attended. The Conservative Party and Bloc Quebecois did not respond to the invitation to send a candidate.

Hundreds attended this debate in person or online. Hundreds more have watched it afterwards archived online. People with disabilities are raising disability issues with candidates across Canada.

Contact AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky aodafeedback@gmail.com

Text of Green Party’s April 9, 2025 Email to the AODA Alliance

From: Marlene Wells <marlene.wells@greenparty.ca>
Sent: April 9, 2025 6:42 PM
To: David Lepofsky
Cc: Elizabeth May; Jonathan Pedneault; Mike Morrice <mike.morrice@greenparty.ca>

Subject: In support of the Accessible Canada Pledge

Dear Mr. Lepofsky,

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for the invaluable advocacy work you continue to do in advancing accessibility and inclusion.

I am writing to confirm that the Co-Leaders of the Green Party of Canada, Ms. Elizabeth May and Mr. Jonathan Pedneault, are in full support of the Accessible Canada Pledge, as well as the important initiatives championed by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance.

Thank you once again for your dedication to this vital cause. It is truly an honor to share this confirmation with you.

Best regards,
Marlene

Marlene Wells (she-her-elle)
Political Hub Director, Green Party of Canada