This past year, the Government of Canada has continued to make significant progress implementing the Accessible Canada Act (the Act), reinforcing its commitment to advance accessibility and the inclusion of persons with disabilities.

“As Canada’s first Chief Accessibility Officer, Stephanie Cadieux will help identify and address issues related to accessibility and disability inclusion, working with the disability community.  She brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the role, and I look forward to working with her to improve the lives of all Canadians with disabilities.”

– Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough

“I am honoured to become the first Chief Accessibility Officer today, and be part of the effort to create a barrier-free Canada. As an independent advisor, I will have a vital duty to provide a clear and candid view of the Government’s commitment to the inclusion of persons with disabilities. My office will report about achievements made under the Accessible Canada Act, but we will also help draw and keep attention on important concerns in regards to accessibility. My greatest strengths are as a catalyst and convener and that is what I hope to bring to the role because the work ahead to foster a culture of inclusion will be dependent upon collaboration with partners and stakeholders in the federal government, the disability sector, and the Indigenous community. I am fully committed to support the meaningful change needed to achieve the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in Canada.”

– Chief Accessibility Officer, Stephanie Cadieux

• According to the 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability, there are 6.2 million Canadians aged 15 and older who have a disability. More than 1 in 10 youth in Canada have one or more disabilities.

• The Accessible Canada Act came into force on July 11, 2019 and focuses on proactively identifying, removing and preventing barriers to accessibility. A major milestone of the Act was realized on December 13, 2021, with the coming into force of Accessible Canada Regulations, which require federally regulated organizations to report to the public on their policies and practices to identify and remove existing barriers.

• The Act also established new structures and positions, including:

  • a Chief Accessibility Officer;
  • an Accessibility Commissioner, to spearhead compliance and enforcement activities under the legislation.

• The appointment of Michael Gottheil for a five-year term as Accessibility Commissioner to the CHRC, will come into effect on May 9, 2022. 

• The Chief Accessibility Officer and Accessibility Commissioner were appointed through the Governor in Council (GIC) process. The Government is committed to open, transparent and merit-based processes for selecting GIC appointees, who play a fundamental role in Canadian democracy.

• To meet the Act’s objective of realizing a barrier-free Canada, the Government is developing a Disability Inclusion Action Plan. It will focus on reducing poverty among persons with disabilities, getting them into good quality jobs and making it easier to access federal programs and services while fostering a culture of inclusion.

Related products

• Backgrounder: Biography

Associated links

• Call for applications to fill the positions of Canada’s first-ever Accessibility Commissioner and Chief Accessibility Officer is open
• Terms and Conditions of Employment for Full-Time Governor in Council Appointees
• Historic appointment of Canada’s first Accessibility Commissioner

For media enquiries, please contact:

Jane Deeks
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
jane.deeks@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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