Our History

Independent Living Canada - formerly Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres (CAILC)

When we were first formed in 1986, IL Canada was known as CAILC. We operated as CAILC until modernizing our name and branding, to become known as Independent Living Canada. While our vision, purpose and mandate has always remained; our name and visual identity had been updated.

Remember Our Roots The Canadian Evolution

Learning from the example set by people with disabilities in the US, Canadians started to organize and lobby for full participation and true equality within Canadian society. These principles became central to the new movement which began in Western Canada with grassroots organizations that formed in Saskatchewan and Alberta in the early 1970s.

In 1976, a national organization was formed called the Coalition of Provincial Organizations of the Handicapped, known as COPOH. It was later in 1980, at the COPOH National Conference, entitled “Parameters of Rehabilitation” that Canadians learned extensively about the IL Paradigm from the theorist Gerben DeJong.

In 1982, the first IL Centre in Canada was established in Kitchener, Ontario, sponsored by the Mennonite Central Committee-Ontario Branch (MCC). The MCC, with its concern for social justice issues, was very active within the IL Movement, particularly in Manitoba in the early days. Later in 1983/84, Centres were developed locally in different provinces. Centres were established in Winnipeg and Calgary in 1984, and plans also got underway for a Centre in Thunder Bay.

By 1986, the Canadian definition of an IL Centre was strong and entrenched, with IL Canada being formed in that year to serve as the umbrella organization for Centres. Since then, annual meetings and national conferences continue to be held to provide opportunities for learning and growth.

Over the next few years other member Centres from Toronto, Trois-Pistoles, Ottawa, Niagara and Kingston joined. In 1988, the Honourable David Crombie, the Secretary of State officially recognized the IL Movement in Canada.

What is unique in Canada, with respect to our citizens with disabilities, is our role in the process of social and policy changes. The focus on Individual Advocacy enables an IL Centre to play an important part in the personal empowerment process of thousands of Canadians with disabilities. This enables consumers to have a stronger voice in articulating their needs and to play an active role in monitoring service delivery practices.

Many factors helped shape the evolution of IL Canada and Independent Living as a social movement in Canada

• 1972: the Centre for Independent Living of Berkeley (CA) was established by Ed Roberts
  • throughout the 1970s and 1980s momentum behind the IL Movement spread across North America.
• 1980: COPOH (now the Council of Canadians with Disabilities) formally introduced the Independent Living concept to Canada when Gerben DeJong spoke at their “Defining the Parameters of Rehabilitation” conference.
• 1980s: Public awareness around disability issues increased through the 1980s through the following:
  • 1981: The United Nations declares 1981 the International Year of Disabled Persons;
    • As a result, the Government of Canada appointed an all-party committee to review federal legislation on persons with disabilities
    • This committee produced the Obstacles Report including 130 recommendations on all aspects of social policy and disability.
    • Within these was a recommendation that federal government promote Independent Living;
  • 1982: The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms was established
  • 1985: Section 15 of the Charter of Rights was introduced to address the systematic discrimination faced by many, including persons with disabilities
  • 1983-1992: The United Nations proclaims this period as the Decade of Disabled Persons
• The grassroots work of leaders within the Canadian disability movement like Alan Simpson and Henry Enns helped formalize and mobilize the IL Movement in Canada
• 1985: The need for a national organization devoted to IL in Canada was identified in 1985 in Kitchener, Ontario and
• 1986: Independent Living Canada formally established itself at an IL conference in Ottawa in 1986