Colleagues, Sunday, December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This is a good opportunity to point out that 20% of Canadians live with a disability and that much remains to be done. What a privilege it is today to introduce you to an organization that is very dear to my heart and that is making a difference in the lives of dozens of persons with disabilities living in the National Capital Region.

ABLE2 is a not-for-profit charitable organization that creates opportunities for persons with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives by supporting them with programs, resources and services. Canadians who have a disability face many barriers to society, including stigma, discrimination, poverty, exclusion from education and employment, and inequities in the health care and legal systems.

Next year, ABLE2 will be celebrating 50 years of empowering persons with disabilities to build lives of meaning and joy as valued members of our country.

In honour of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, I feel it is important to highlight the exceptional work of ABLE2. It is a pleasure and a privilege to welcome the members of this organization to the Senate this afternoon.

Too often, persons with disabilities remain an afterthought and don’t have the same resources that most Canadians have. We have made a lot of progress with important bills like the Accessible Canada Act and the Canada Disability Benefit Act, but there is so much more to be done.

It is gratifying and heartwarming to see that there are organizations like ABLE2 that provide essential services, including legal counsel, to persons with disabilities who still desperately need it. They choose to make a difference, and their impact is major. The dedication they have for our community — my community — is truly inspiring.

Colleagues, please join me in thanking ABLE2 for the essential work it does. Meegwetch. Thank you.