End of Mission Statement by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, on her visit to Canada

Ms. Catalina Devandas-Aguilar, OHCHR, Ottawa, April 12, 2019
In my capacity as United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, I conclude today my first official visit to Canada, which took place from 2 to 12 April 2019. I am an independent expert who reports to the United Nations Human Rights Council and the General Assembly, and advises on progress, opportunities and challenges encountered in the implementation of the rights of persons with disabilities worldwide. I am pleased to present some of my preliminary observations and recommendations, which I will elaborate in more detail in a report to be present at the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in March 2020. These preliminary observations neither reflect all the issues presented to me, nor all the initiatives undertaken by the federal, provincial and territorial governments of Canada in the area of disability. In general, Canada has yet to undertake a comprehensive review process to harmonize all its legislation with the CRPD. I would like to remind that governments at all levels are responsible for the implementation of the CRPD. Article 4 (5) provides that obligations undertaken by States Parties to the CRPD shall extend to all parts of federal States without any limitations or exceptions. I strongly encourage the relevant legislative authorities at the federal, provincial and territorial levels to undertake a comprehensive legislative review and complete the process of incorporation of the treaty, including the legal harmonization, in accordance with article 4 of the CRPD.