Legal Capacity

Our Objectives

Secure political commitment to an inclusive legislative framework that formally recognizes supports for decision-making in three provinces or territories.

Why It Matters

Legal systems in Canada create many barriers for people with an intellectual disability. Over half of people with an intellectual disability report they make none or only some of the decisions about their everyday activities.

People with an intellectual disability often have their right to make decisions restricted or removed. This prevents them from opening a bank account, signing a lease, having a cell phone contract, or owning their own home. This also impacts their right to make decisions about their own medical or personal care.

Substitute decision-making and guardianship are still very common in Canada. Access to support for making decisions and legal recognition of this option is limited across the country.

Our Vision

Rights to equality, self-determination, and full citizenship are legally recognized and assured for all people with an intellectual disability.

How You Can Help

Inclusion Canada hosts free, 45-minute Inspiring Inclusion Tours to raise awareness of Inclusion Canada’s work toward building an inclusive Canada for people with an intellectual disability and their families.

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Inclusion Canada works to end exclusion and create a Canada in which people with disabilities are free and supported to build a rich and beautiful life. You can make this possible with a donation today.

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Our Work

What We're Doing

Inclusion Canada is working to advance legal capacity legislation in Canada so that people with an intellectual disability will have more power and control over their own lives. This includes working with provincial and territorial governments to reform guardianship laws.

We are also working with our federation and advance pilot projects in areas like Ontario, which helps to understand what types of support individuals and families require in navigating systems and processes in having their decisions recognized. We are working with communities to show how they can support people to make decisions about their own lives. We’ve documented stories of those who’ve strived to have their decision recognized so others can learn from them. We created resources and tools to help.