Relive Our 40 Year Event
Celebrate our 40th Anniversary With Us!
40 Years and Onward:
Celebrating Independent Living Canada
Honouring our past. Celebrating our present. Imagining our future.
Ottawa | September 9–11, 2026
In September 2026, members of the Independent Living Canada network gathered in Ottawa to celebrate four decades of connection, leadership and collective action. Member Centre representatives, movement leaders, youth, partners and friends came together to honour the people who built this movement and consider the future we want to shape together.
Under the theme “40 Years and Onward – Shaping the Future of Independent Living,” our conference and anniversary celebration connected our history with the experiences and aspirations of the network today.
Throughout the gathering, one conviction connected the conversations: people with disabilities are the experts in their own lives. Their choices, knowledge and leadership remain at the heart of Independent Living.
Day 1: Reconnecting, Learning and Remembering
Our Day 1 masters of ceremonies, Angela Gray, Executive Director of Independent Living Sudbury Manitoulin, and Shari Hildred, Executive Director of the South Saskatchewan Independent Living Centre, brought warmth and enthusiasm to the day. Louella Tobias opened with a land acknowledgement, followed by welcoming remarks from IL Canada's National Executive Director, Freda Uwa.
Christopher Sutton of the Canadian Human Rights Commission helped set the stage for the conversations ahead. Participants then had an opportunity to connect through an inclusive movement and icebreaker activity before turning their attention to one of the most rapidly changing issues facing organizations today. Yacouba Traoré of the Centre for Excellence in Nonprofit AI led an engaging session exploring artificial intelligence, its possibilities and the responsibilities that must guide its use.
In the afternoon, Tom Pugliese shared a funny and heartfelt personal history centred on a simple idea: IL Canada is made up of ordinary people doing everyday work that, collectively, makes Canada better. His presentation unfolded beneath a single photograph of Tom during his first weeks at the Independent Living Resource Centre Thunder Bay in 2002, seated at a shared consumer computer in the Centre's common area. He joked that one of the four publicly available computers also served as his workstation—or “office”—so whenever a fourth person arrived to use a computer, he got to take a break. Through stories like this, Tom reflected on the people, relationships and experiences that shaped his own journey while celebrating the countless individuals across the network whose daily efforts create extraordinary change. His presentation captured something at the very heart of IL Canada: ordinary people working together, supporting their communities and accomplishing remarkable things.
| Members of IL Canada's Youth Advisory Council then brought the conversation into the present and future. Their participation reminded us that Independent Living history is still being written - and that youth and emerging leaders will play an essential role in shaping its next chapters. |  |
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Day 1 concluded with a successful Annual General Meeting and the presentation of accreditation certificates to six Member Centres:
- Independent Living Centre – Kingston
- Richmond Centre for Disability
- Breaking Down Barriers Independent Living Resource Centre – Collingwood
- Independent Living Sudbury Manitoulin
- South Saskatchewan Independent Living Centre
- Victoria Disability Resource Centre
The first day captured what makes the IL Canada network so special: shared learning, honest conversation, collective responsibility and relationships that extend across communities and generations. It honoured the work that brought us together while creating space for new ideas, new leaders and everything still ahead.
Day 2: Sharing Knowledge, Strengthening Connections and Celebrating Our Network
Day 2 of the IL Canada Conference brought the network together for a full day of strategy, learning, international perspectives, peer connection and celebration. Building on the energy of the first day, participants returned ready to exchange ideas, deepen relationships and learn from the experiences of others.
Angela Gray and Shari Hildred returned as masters of ceremonies, welcoming everyone back and guiding participants through the day's program.
Andrea Podruski of Accessibility Standards Canada opened the morning presentations by sharing an update on the organization's work and answering questions from participants. Her presentation created an opportunity for the network to engage directly with the continuing development of accessibility standards in Canada.
Ingrid Palmer of Realize Canada then led an important discussion on immigration strategy, disability and inclusion. The session encouraged participants to consider the experiences of people with disabilities within Canada's immigration system and the importance of ensuring that accessibility and lived experience remain part of the conversation.
Vayshali Patel and Shirley Von Sychowski, representing the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing, introduced Horizon Europe and its potential to advance international disability research and collaboration. Their presentation invited Independent Living Centres to contribute their knowledge and experience to the development of Canada's approach.
The morning also included an energetic speed-networking activity led by Angela and Shari. The room quickly filled with conversation as participants reconnected with longtime colleagues, met new people and strengthened relationships across the national network.
Kohl Gray of IL Canada followed with a thoughtful session on peer support and self-care. It was a meaningful reminder that sustaining our organizations and movement also requires us to care for ourselves and one another.
After lunch, the focus turned to IL Canada's Member Centres. Representatives were invited to share exciting programs, events and initiatives taking place in their communities. These presentations highlighted the creativity, responsiveness and local leadership found throughout the network while giving Centres an opportunity to learn from one another.
Each Member Centre in attendance was also presented with a commemorative IL Canada 40th Anniversary plaque, recognizing its place within our shared history and its continuing contribution to the Independent Living movement in Canada.
One of the afternoon's most meaningful moments was the presentation of the Paula Saunders Award. Paula Saunders and Sue Larocque presented the 2026 award to Kim Ives of Regina, with Shari Hildred accepting it on Kim's behalf. The presentation recognized Kim's contributions while reflecting the leadership, commitment and spirit of service represented by the award.
Freda Uwa offered closing reflections before the afternoon ended with the conference raffle and plenty of laughter.
Day 2 demonstrated the strength of a network built through relationships. From national and international conversations to peer support, community programs and recognition of leadership, the day celebrated the knowledge held throughout IL Canada—and the value of continuing to learn, share and move forward together.
Gala Evening: Celebrating 40 Years Together
Following two full days of learning, reflection and connection, the gala dinner marked the beginning of IL Canada's official 40th Anniversary Celebration. It was an evening filled with shared memories, laughter, music and the unmistakable warmth of a network that has grown together across many years and generations.
Tom Pugliese and IL Canada's National Executive Director, Freda Uwa, welcomed everyone to the evening and reflected on the significance of gathering together for such an important milestone.
It was a particular honour to have Traci Walters with us for the celebration. Her presence connected the evening to many years of leadership and shared history within IL Canada and the broader Independent Living movement.
A special Gala Production, created by Tom Pugliese for IL Canada, helped commemorate the occasion. Through images, music, messages and memories, the presentation celebrated the people, Member Centres, sponsors and partners who have contributed to the organization's story. It also included well wishes from across the network, allowing voices from beyond the room to become part of the celebration.
The dinner itself was exceptional. The delicious food and warm, attentive service provided by the hotel staff made everyone feel genuinely welcomed and well cared for. Their professionalism and hospitality contributed greatly to the success of the evening.
As the formal program gave way to karaoke, the room filled with music, laughter and plenty of personality. One of the evening's most memorable moments came when women from different generations of the Independent Living movement joined together to sing “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” It captured something essential about the IL community: meaningful work and serious purpose have always existed alongside friendship, humour and joy.
We deeply missed the people who were unable to celebrate with us in person. To help the wider network share in the occasion, the Gala Production was later made available as a lasting record of the evening and the milestone it commemorated.
More than a dinner, the gala was a reunion of colleagues, friends, leaders and movement builders. It gave us the opportunity to pause, enjoy one another's company and appreciate how much has been accomplished through four decades of determination, relationships and collective action.
The gala began our official anniversary celebration in exactly the right spirit: with gratitude for the past, joy in the present and excitement for everything still to come.
Day 3: Celebrating 40 Years and Looking Onward
On September 11, 2026, the IL Canada network gathered for a full day dedicated to celebrating 40 years of Independent Living leadership in Canada. It was a day to honour the people and experiences that shaped the movement, recognize the relationships that continue to sustain it and imagine the future we want to build together.
Tom Pugliese served as host and master of ceremonies, guiding participants through a program that balanced history, lived experience, partnership, reflection and celebration.
The morning began with a multimedia tribute, followed by a presentation exploring the history of Independent Living in Canada. Together, these presentations recognized some of the people, milestones and collective efforts that helped build the movement. While no single presentation could capture every contribution or moment, they created space to reflect on the determination, leadership and relationships that brought IL Canada to its 40th anniversary.
At the heart of the day was a lived-experience panel hosted by IL Canada's National Executive Director, Freda Uwa. Traci Walters, Paul-Claude Bérubé, Paula Saunders, Tyler Cooley and Diane Kreuger shared their personal histories with Independent Living in Canada.
Their stories connected different generations, communities and forms of leadership. They spoke about the movement's growth, the challenges encountered along the way and the relationships that made progress possible. The conversation reminded us that the history of Independent Living lives within the people who challenged barriers, built organizations, supported their peers and continued passing their knowledge to others.
Bonnie Brayton, CEO of DAWN Canada, and Nicole Fontyn-Taylor, Manager of Research Projects, provided an update on the Scaling Resilience and Change partnership between DAWN Canada and IL Canada. Their segment also included tributes to Traci Walters and Freda Uwa, recognizing their leadership, contributions and lasting influence within the movement.
Over lunch, participants had another opportunity to reconnect and celebrate with 40th anniversary cupcakes.
The afternoon featured a keynote address from Meenu Sikand. Her straightforward and hard-hitting truths did not disappoint. She challenged participants to reflect honestly on disability leadership, the progress that has been achieved and the work that remains ahead. Her remarks brought urgency and clarity to the day while reinforcing the continuing importance of the Independent Living movement.
Tom then led the “Imagining the Next 40 Years” visioning session. Drawing on contributions from people throughout the room, participants shared the values they want to preserve, the changes they hope to see and the steps that can begin moving IL Canada toward that future.
Those contributions became the foundation of “Hello from 2046,” a postcard written from the imagined future back to the IL Canada network of 2026. The finished postcard revealed just how much common ground exists across the network. Despite differences in geography, experience and perspective, participants expressed a remarkably shared vision of an accessible, connected and disability-led future.
Joy and humour were present throughout the day as well. The IL Canada photo booth created by Kohl Gray brought out the playful side of many attendees and produced memorable photographs. The Get Inked for IL station offered another spirited way for people to show their pride in the movement and its 40-year history.
A reflection video and closing remarks from Tom and Freda brought the formal program to an end. At the conclusion of the day, many of those in attendance gathered for a group photograph, creating a lasting image of the people who were able to share this milestone in person.
Day 3 brought IL Canada's past, present and future into one room. It honoured decades of leadership without suggesting that the work is complete. It celebrated the strength of lived experience, the value of partnership and the power of a national network connected by a shared philosophy.
Forty years brought us to this moment. The anniversary day reminded us that the movement's next chapter will continue to be written by people with disabilities - together, and on their own terms.
A Celebration That Belongs to the Whole Movement
Our thanks go to the Member Centres, speakers, panellists, partners, Board members, staff, youth, movement leaders and friends who contributed to this gathering—and to everyone across Canada whose work made the anniversary possible.
We also hold a place in this story for those who could not join us. The movement's history reaches far beyond one room or one event.
The Ottawa gathering marked a major moment in an anniversary year continuing toward December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Plans for an immersive docuseries centred on lived experience across the IL Canada network will offer another opportunity to preserve and share the journeys that have shaped Independent Living.
Forty years of IL Canada represent the work of people and communities who continue to turn the principles of Independent Living into everyday possibilities.
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