Hello there and I’m Scott Savoy welcoming you to a simply wonderful July weekend.
Now that the holidays are out of the way, let’s get down to business with another thought provoking editorial from our president Donna J. Jodhan.
Today Donna has some very important questions that need to be answered and she awaits your feedback.
Please write to her at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca
Enjoy your weekend.
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Where Is the Minister for Disabilities Issues?
In 2015, Canada made history. For the first time, a federal minister was appointed with a specific mandate to address issues affecting persons with disabilities. That minister, Carla Qualtrough—a legally blind Paralympian and accomplished lawyer—brought lived experience and unwavering commitment to the portfolio. Under her leadership, Canadians witnessed the groundbreaking passage of the Accessible Canada Act in July 2019, legislation aimed at removing barriers and promoting inclusion nationwide. It was more than policy—it was a declaration of value and visibility for millions of Canadians.
Fast forward to today, and we find ourselves asking a troubling question: where is the minister for disabilities in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new cabinet?
Whether it was a deliberate omission, a strategic oversight, or—most troubling of all—an indication that this portfolio is no longer seen as a priority, the absence speaks volumes. For a government that claims to champion equity and inclusion, abandoning the dedicated representation of people with disabilities at the federal cabinet table is both tone-deaf and unacceptable.
We understand that the Prime Minister has his hands full—between managing a tense global landscape and fending off bizarre geopolitical threats like the latest rhetoric from Donald Trump about annexation. But even in times of crisis, governance must be holistic. A government that forgets its most vulnerable citizens does so at its peril.
Let us be clear: the needs and voices of Canadians with disabilities do not vanish with a change in leadership. The power, potential, and rights of this community demand constant advocacy and attention. The Accessible Canada Act was not the end of the journey—it was the beginning. Without a dedicated minister, the momentum toward an accessible and inclusive Canada is at serious risk of stalling.
Prime Minister Carney must act—and act now. This is not just a matter of optics; it’s a matter of principle and progress. Canadians with disabilities deserve representation at the highest level of government. They deserve a seat at the table—not just as a checkbox, but as active participants in shaping the future of this country.
So we ask again: Where is the minister for disabilities issues?
Rectify this oversight, Mr. Prime Minister. Because equality delayed is equality denied.
I’d like to leave you with this for your consideration.
A grand government conference room is depicted from a wide angle, with a long table where all the key ministers are seated. Each seat is marked with a nameplate indicating roles like “Minister of Health,” “Minister of Education,” “Minister of Finance,” etc. The ministers are engaged in discussion, papers and digital tablets before them.
But one chair stands empty.
The nameplate in front of this vacant chair reads “Minister for Disabilities Issues” — clearly visible, yet gathering dust, with cobwebs stretching from the seat to the table edge, emphasizing neglect and absence.
In the background, a figure in a wheelchair stands at the door, looking in from the shadows. Their face is not angry, but carries an expression of quiet disappointment and resilience. They are holding a folder labeled “Unheard Voices”.
Above the scene, written faintly like a cloud or echo, are the questions:
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Has this minister been forgotten?
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Was this seat never filled?
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Or is it simply not considered important enough?
The overall tone of the illustration should convey both a sense of neglect and a call for accountability, without being hostile — but with firm, visual poignancy.
Image = A black office chair sits prominently at a wooden conference table in a formal room, flanked by a wheelchair on the left and a row of chairs in the background. A large Canadian flag is partially visible on the right side, and through the window behind the scene, blurred towers of Parliament Hill in Ottawa are visible under a cloudy sky, suggesting a governmental or political setting focused on accessibility or disability rights.
To learn more about me as an award winning sight loss coach and advocate visit www.donnajodhan.com
