On behalf of the Government of Canada, I am pleased to invite you to participate in the online consultation on the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Convention).

The Convention is of great importance to Canadians. Canada signed the Convention in March 2007, meaning that Canada is currently required to respect the general object and purpose of the treaty. The Government of Canada is seeking the views of Canadians, and particularly of the disability community, in order to inform the decision on ratification. These views would also play an important role in informing any measures that may be taken post-ratification at the federal level to further implement the Convention.

This online consultation is fully accessible:
* The content of the consultation Web site is available in the following alternate formats upon request: Large Print, Braille, Audio Cassette, Audio CD, e-Text Diskette, e-Text CD, and DAISY.
* The consultation Web site features a simple design to allow easy navigation.

Many resources are available on the consultation Web site to help you guide your feedback: instructions on how to fill out the consultation questionnaire, a Frequently Asked Questions section, links to useful resources such as the full text and a plain English guide to the Convention, background materials and much more.

Have your say! If you would like to participate in this online consultation, submit your views through the Web site or by email, regular mail, fax or phone. All contributions must be received by the Office for Disability Issues by July 31, 2009, midnight, Eastern Daylight Time.

Consultation Web site

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or require additional information on this consultation:

-By email
-By phone:
819-994-0335 (National Capital Region)
866-203-2426 (toll-free within Canada) If you are calling outside the toll-free area, you may leave a message with your name, reason of your call and best time to reach you during regular office hours and a representative will return your call.
1 800 O-Canada: 1-800-622-6232
TTY: 819-934-6649
-By fax: 819-994-8634
-By regular mail:
Stakeholder consultation, Office for Disability Issues, C/o Intergovernmental Relations, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Bell Building, 105 Hôtel de Ville Street, Gatineau, Québec K1A 0J9

We look forward to receiving your feedback.

Sincerely,
Laura Oleson, Acting Director General
Office for Disability Issues
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada