May 7, 2026
Every Friday, I visit one of our community homes. Connecting with people I don’t get to see very often is a great way to finish the week. A little while ago, a support worker asked me what I expect and what I’m looking for in a home. It was a good question. My visits are visits, not inspections. What I am looking for are signs that the home truly feels like a home.
All of our community homes should reflect the personalities and wishes of the people who live there: the art on the walls, the colours of the rooms, the decorations, and all of the other small details. It is easy to tell when people seem comfortable, relaxed, and free to live their lives in ways that are meaningful to them.
You will sometimes hear self-advocates say that an institution is not just a building, it is a mindset. That’s true. Our goal is not simply to provide housing or services. We want to make sure that our homes are truly homes, places where people have choice, dignity, belonging, and control over their own lives. Supporting people to live their best lives on their own terms means protecting, promoting, and honouring their rights every day.
That commitment explains why St.Amant is so proud to partner with self-advocates in the creation of MyRightsMatter.ca. That incredible resource was made by and for people with intellectual disabilities to help people better understand and exercise their rights with confidence. The website reflects the voices, experiences, and leadership of self-advocates themselves, and I encourage everyone to take some time to explore it.
Human dignity and the protection and promotion of people’s rights remain our central focus as we enter the third year of our 2024-2029 strategic plan. It appears in our priority work surrounding reductions in restraint use and rights restrictions. It explains the determination to better integrate our stabilization services, so that people can receive the right supports in the least restrictive environment. I want to thank every member of our community for renewing and living their commitments to our values every single day.
