Resident says Yellowknife is a hostile city for those with disabilities

When an ongoing health condition was compounded with a more serious injury, a Yellowknife resident says she realized just how inaccessible the city is for those with disabilities. 

Lisc Daley moved to Yellowknife 14 years ago to accept a job from the N.W.T. government as a librarian at the Legislative Assembly. Daley has had rheumatoid arthritis since she was a child, and in 2021 she broke her femur, which — after three surgeries and the installation of a rod in her leg — left her disabled.

Since then, Daley said, she has relied on wheelchairs, canes and walkers to get around.

In Yellowknife, that's not easy.

"I had empathy, but I don't think I realized how serious these deficiencies were until it happened to me," said Daley.

The N.W.T. Human Rights Commission's annual report for 2023/24 — released last year — details that 22 of the 26 new complaints it received that year included an allegation of discrimination based on disability. 

The areas most included in those complaints are employment and public services.

In 2022, the human rights panel found grounds for discrimination by businesses in Yellowknife such as Midwest Property Management, Subway and Fatburger, all surrounding inadequate accessibility. Calls for N.W.T. accessibility legislation have been happening for years.

Charles Dent, the N.W.T.'s human rights commissioner, said in the Canadian Human Rights Act, public services are an area where equality is expected.

"What still would have to be determined is, what is the point of undue hardship? And that's not something that I can answer — that can only be answered through a hearing process," said Dent.

Dent said if a person feels they've been discriminated against, he encourages them to contact the human rights office. He added they have officers there to discuss situations in confidence to see if there might be a basis for a complaint.

"There might be an issue that our office could help them deal with, whether it goes to a complaint or not," said Dent.

The report notes that the N.W.T. government's Department of Infrastructure has stated it does not currently have a mandated role to play in the accessibility standards for private and municipal infrastructure. The report also notes seven other jurisdictions in Canada already have accessibility legislation.

"The Commission again urges the [territorial government] to re-examine this issue and to consider how important accessibility is to many people, regardless of their disability. The Commission believes the [government] should adopt accessibility legislation," the report states.

The N.W.T. government's Department of Infrastructure did not respond to CBC News' request for comment. 

Dent said incorporating Canadian Standards Association guidelines on accessibility is a good framework the commission has asked the territory to implement. The recommendations include everything from walkways to doorway dimensions to water bottle filling stations, so infrastructure can be accessible for all.

Dent said if the government gives timelines for changes well in advance, it will allow people time to to plan for it

"Then you can work to that. You've got 10 years to make sure that your facilities are accessible. So nobody's forced into doing it just at the last moment," said Dent.

He also expanded on federal government incentives that have been offered, and said he would like to see those used when available as incentives to include in legislation.

Daley said for her, things that were once as simple as walking two blocks to the grocery store have become an impossible task. Even crossing the street is daunting given the way sidewalks slope, a lack of snow clearing, sanding and places to sit, she added.

"I should be able to walk across the street by myself. I'm quite capable of that," said Daley.

She added that removing benches downtown has left people with disabilities without places to rest if needed.

Daley said she considers herself lucky to have a strong support system of friends to help her but worries for those with more serious health problems and mobility issues.

"I'm in a fortunate position. Not everyone is," she said.