EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill proclaims the month of July in each year as Disability Pride Month.

Bill 128 2023

An Act to proclaim the month of July as Disability Pride Month

Preamble

Ableism has been prevalent in the history of Ontario. Exclusion, discrimination and violation of principles of basic dignity have been the norm for disabled people for much of this province’s history.

By proclaiming July as Disability Pride Month, Ontario is prioritizing the need to listen to the disability community when addressing their needs and priorities. Disability Pride Month is about recognizing the important contributions of Ontarians with disabilities and the place of disabled people in Ontario’s diverse society.

July is Disability Pride Month because the work of Canadians with disabilities resulted in the Accessible Canada Act that came into force on July 11, 2019.

Ontarians with disabilities have historically been extremely marginalized and regarded as a burden on a society rather than as free, independent and inherently valuable citizens. Ontarians with disabilities have been disproportionately relegated to poverty and denied access to both public and private spaces.

Twenty-two per cent of Canadians live with a disability, and this number is expected to rise. Canadians with disabilities are an essential and valuable part of the fabric of Canadian society. These Canadians face barriers in employment, housing, provision of services, bodily autonomy and reproductive rights, as well as other problems related to poverty and discrimination. These barriers can be worsened when combined with discrimination on the basis of intersecting identities such as race, gender, class, indigeneity and age.

Disability is not only an identity, but also a community with a diverse culture all their own to be proud of and celebrated. Disability culture is about visibility and self-value. Disability Pride Month is a time for recognizing these facts and listening to people with disabilities.

Therefore, His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Disability Pride Month

1 The month of July in each year is proclaimed as Disability Pride Month.

Commencement

2 This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3 The short title of this Act is the Disability Pride Month Act, 2023.