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3 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, July 16, 2009 Advocate critical of Canada's inaction Continued from page 1 more frustrating for Laurin-Bowie as Rwanda has actually ratified Inclusion International's Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The convention, which was put together through consultations between numerous world governments and a delegation led by Laurin-Bowie, spells out the rights people with disabilities are entitled to. Ratified by around 56 countries, the convention does not actually give people with disabilities more rights, but makes existing international human rights conventions apply to people with disabilities in a legally binding sense. Or at least this is the intent. "There are countries like Rwanda who have ratified the convention, but maybe don't fully understand the implications in terms of their responsibilities under the convention," said Laurin-Bowie. "Under the convention sterilization is specifically prohibited." Where is Canada on all this? Nowhere, said LaurinBowie, as Canada has not only chosen to stay away from the whole Rwanda issue, but has opted, along with the United States, not to ratify Inclusion International's Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. "Canada has in the past been a world leader on human rights, but in the last 10 years, I think, Canada has disappeared from the map in terms of really having a moral authority, a voice and a presence in this," said Laurin-Bowie. "I've been working to influence government for probably 20 years and I'll tell you this government has been the least responsive government that I can remember and in those 20 years there were Liberal and Conservative governments so that's saying a lot.'" Laurin-Bowie noted Canada itself does not have the most stellar record when it comes to dealing with people with intellectual disabilities. While the sterilization of those with intellectual disabilities may seem like something confined to the nightmarish history of the Third Reich, provinces in Canada actually practiced it until the early 1970s. Even today, the humane treatment of those with disabilities continues to fall short in some areas, Laurin-Bowie noted. "There are still policies in place in this country that would force a family who Partial Delivery: Panago Pizza, Metro Canada, Fitness Fanatix, James Boyd, Price Chopper, Food Basics, Gino's Pizza, Guardian Drugs, Superstore, No Frills, Sobeys, Fortino's, Future Shop, Best Buy Canada has a child with a disability to give up their child to either a foster family or some kind of service system in order to get the service they need," she said. "The parent might not be able to get the services they need in the home, but if they give the child up to a foster family the foster family can receive them." Laurin-Bowie said that despite a few obstacles here and there, being in compliance with Inclusion International's Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a very attainable goal for Canada. In the end, she chalked up the government's unwillingness to get on board with the convention to a lack of political motivation. Laurin-Bowie became involved with Inclusion International 10 years ago after finding she had no time for the bureaucracy present in the work she was doing with the federal government. In a year, Laurin-Bowie's current line of work takes her from one corner of the world to the other, where she helps to train member groups how to approach their governments and demand change to the way people with disabilities are treated. For Laurin-Bowie, ensuring rights for the disabled is a matter of being in compliance with humanity itself. LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER INTERNATIONAL ADVOCATE: Connie Laurin-Bowie, director of Inclusion International, a group that fights for the rights of the disabled worldwide. For Everyday and Every Occasion Fresh arrangements, fruit baskets, balloons, seasonal items, wicker dish gardens, greenery and so much more. SUMMER SPECIAL! $25 CALL NOW! 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