QUESTION PERIOD — Employment and Social Development
Disability Inclusion Action Plan
December 3, 2025
Senator Moreau, today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. A few days ago, a report by the Office of Public Service Accessibility indicated that the federal government is significantly behind in implementing its own accessibility policy for public servants with disabilities.
Of course, hiring targets have been met, but many employees still don’t have accessible computer tools, adequate offices or an accessible, work-friendly environment. That is a problem.
My question is this: How are we to believe that the goal of an accessible Canada is realistic if the government itself doesn’t set an example in its own accessibility policies for its own employees?
This issue is very important, especially today, and I want to thank you for pointing out that the employment objectives for persons with disabilities have been met.
Obviously, in the current technological situation where the government is operating under a hybrid model, the issue of properly setting up workstations is a lot more complicated than it would be if people were working in offices, with some degree of operational consistency.
This is an important question and a legitimate concern that I intend to raise with the government. I’ll get back to you about the time frames for reaching these objectives. As you know, we’re looking at changing things around in terms of hybrid-type government operations and office-based work.
Thank you.
The document also reveals that there is a significant lack of external consultation with people with disabilities. It says such consultation would provide essential feedback from the public to help the government departments align and better deliver. This concerns me, because we’ve heard “nothing about us without us” so many times from ministers in committees.
Is the government going to address that?
This is a very important question. “Consultation” has been the main word in this room for many days now. I will certainly raise the question with the minister, and I’ll get back to you on whether concrete action will be taken on that subject.
