What is the Optional Protocol?

The OP is a separate document that requires its own ratification.  The OP is designed to hold national governments more accountable for meeting their Convention obligations.  The OP gives a ‘right of petition’ to the U.N. Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities where human rights breaches continue to occur at the national level and all domestic remedies have been exhausted.  Importantly the OP also opens the door for ‘shadow reporting’ by NGOs, representing people with disabilities, to comment on and supplement official national reports.  

Unlike Australia and many other countries Canada did not and has not ratified the Optional Protocol.  There is also no indication that Canada is preparing to ratify the OP.

IDEA Regina views Canada’s failure to sign the OP as a troubling sign.  Canada’s record in providing timely domestic redress to disputed human rights issues and fulfilling it's obligations under other international treaties has at best been mixed. The intent of the CRPD is to clearly give people with disabilities control of their lives and be equal partners in building a better future.  Without the OP we believe it is unlikely that people with disabilities can be equal partners with government in determining that better future.