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LIBERAL PARTY'S
PUBLIC ODA CONSULTATION TOURAll Supporters of a Strong Ontarians with Disabilities Act From: Steve Peters, MPP, Elgin-Middlesex-London,
Liberal Critic for Persons with DisabilitiesDate: February 18, 2000 Updated Wednesday, March 15, 2000 5:38 PM
PAGE CONTENTS
| Introduction |
| What Can Be Done To Make Ontario Barrier-Free? |
| Four Questions For Your Input To Steve Peters
Here is a kit from the office of MPP Steve Peters providing details on his upcoming public consultation sessions across Ontario on the Ontarians with Disabilities Act. It includes a calender of events across Ontario and some details on how to participate.
Please circulate these materials as much as possible. Also, please encourage as many people as possible to participate in this public consultation. Think of creative ways to get the public involved, including people who may know nothing about the Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
The ODA Committee approaches this from the perspective of a non- partisan coalition. We encouraged everyone to participate in the consultations which the Harris Government conducted on this topic in the summer of 1998. We similarly encourage everyone to now participate in this new initiative which the Ontario Liberal Party is undertaking.
We will circulate more details when we receive them. If you have specific questions about this public consultation which the Ontario Liberal Party is sponsering and conducting, please contact Steve Peters or his staff at steve_peters-MPP@ontla.ola.org or (416) 325-7250.
- North Bay
Monday March 6 2000 7:00 - 9:00 pm
DAAY Centre
DisAbled Adult & Youth Centre
239 Main Street East
705-474-3851
- Sudbury
Tuesday March 7 2000 2:00 - 4:00 pm
J.T. Koski Conference Centre
1400 Barrydowne Rd. (Main Campus Cambrian College)
705-566-8101
- Sault Ste. Marie
Wednesday March 8 2000 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Watertower Inn-East Centre Hall Room
360 Great Northern Rd.
705-945-7604
- Thunder Bay
Thursday March 9 2000 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Airlane-Travelodge - Barcelona Room
698 West Arthur Street
807-473-1605
- Barrie
Monday March 13 2000 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Stroke Recovery Association
80 Bradford Street
705-737-9549
- Mississauga
Tuesday March 14 2000 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Solel Congregation
2399 Folkway Drive
905-820-5915
- St. Catherines
Wednesday March 15 2000 10:30 - 12:30 pm
CAW Hall
124 Bunting Rd.
905-682-7616
2 ASL Interpreters booked
- Hamilton
Wednesday March 15 2000 7:00 - 9:00pm
Hamilton Central Library Room 215-
55 York Blvd.
905-546-3200
- Ottawa
Thursday March 16 2000 2:00 - 4:30 pm
Victoria Hall
City Hall
City of Ottawa
- Windsor
Monday March 20 2000 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Windsor Public Library (Central Branch)
850 Ouellette Ave.
519-255-6770
- Guelph
Tuesday March 21 2000 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Harpo's Banquet Halls (Formerly the Steelworkers Centre)
89 Dawson Road
519-822-3350
- Kingston
Wednesday March 22 2000 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Kingston Independent Living Resource Centre
869 Princess St.
613-542-8353
- Peterborough
Thursday March 23 2000 2:00 - 4:30 pm
Lion's Centre
347 Burnham Street
705-740-2288
- London
Friday March 24 2000 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Mount Hope Long Term Care Facility
21 Grosvenor Street
519- 646-6100 x 64209
- Toronto
Monday March 27 2000 4:30 - 7:30 pm
Queen's Park - Amethyst Room
Main Legislative Bldg.
416-325-7250
February 18, 2000
Dear Friend:
For too long Ontario has been without legislation that will remove existing barriers and prevent future barriers facing the 1.5 million persons with disabilities. Prior to the 1995 election Mike Harris promised in writing that, upon being elected Premier, he would pass an Ontarians with Disabilities Act within his first term of office. The Premier has failed in his commitment to pass such a law, thereby failing persons with disabilities and not providing an open forum to which they may express their views on a strong and effective Ontarians with Disabilities Act. I truly believe that this piece of legislation must be a priority for all provincial representatives, regardless of party affiliation.
On November 23, 1999, I sponsored a resolution which was passed unanimously. This resolution called for the Ontario Legislature to pass an Ontarians with Disabilities Act within two years of that date. As a follow up to this initiative, during the month of March, I am embarking on an Ontarians with Disabilities Act fact-finding tour throughout the province. My goal is to consult with a wide variety of groups and individuals so that we can have a better understanding of the issues facing persons with disabling conditions.
This consultation process is historic because, for the first time ever, all groups and individuals will have the opportunity to provide input and in a public forum. Please find enclosed a kit that provides information about this consultation tour.
I want to extend my thank you to Dalton McGuinty, the Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, and all Liberal members of caucus for their support and encouragement as I undertake this process.
Please join me as we work towards achieving our common goals. I look forward to hearing from you as I travel the province.
Yours truly,
Steve Peters, M.P.P.
Elgin-Middlesex-London
Disabilities Critic, Ontario Liberal Party
Hosted by:
Steve Peters, M.P.P.
Disabilities Critic, Ontario Liberal Party
What Can Be Done To Make Ontario Barrier-Free?
Ontario needs a strong new law to tear down barriers that keep people with disabilities from participating in every aspect of life. Steve Peters, M.P.P will be travelling throughout the province during the month of March to consult with all those concerned with the lack of a strong and effective Ontarians with Disabilities Act. With your input, Mr. Peters will be able to report and relay this information to the Ontario government for their full consideration as to what should be contained in a strong and effective Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
A strong Ontarians with Disabilities Act would do this.
- It would prevent new barriers from being created in the future.
- It would require existing barriers to be located and removed in an orderly way.
- It would give everyone a say in how to achieve this as quickly and practically as possible.
Premier Mike Harris promised in writing before the 1995 election that he would pass the Ontarians with Disabilities Act in his first term. He did not pass that law in his first term. His government has promised to hold a new consultation and then to pass this legislation. On November 23, 1999, the Ontario Legislature unanimously passed a resolution, sponsored by Steve Peters, M.P.P, which requires a strong and effective Ontarians with Disabilities Act to be enacted within two years of that date.
As the Disabilities Critic for the Ontario Liberal Party, Steve Peters, M.P.P, Elgin-Middlesex-London, believes that Ontario will benefit when barriers blocking people with all disabilities are removed and prevented. Mr. Peters feels that a strong and effective Ontarians with Disabilities Act is the best approach to achieving this goal.
How can you Help?
In an effort to hear from all stakeholders and concerned citizens from throughout the province, Mr. Peters would like to hear from you. Persons with disabilities include those with physical, mental, or sensory disabilities. There are many opportunities to forward your concerns.
- Attend one of the ODA Consultation sessions throughout the province during the month of March.* In order to hear from as many individuals and organizations as possible we would ask that you be somewhat time sensitive as to the length of time of your oral submissions.
- Visit the Steve Peters website at www.stevepeters.com
- Send your written submission to:
Steve Peters, M.P.P
Elgin-Middlesex-London
Disabilities Critic, Ontario Liberal Party
Roon 331, Main Legislative Building
Queen's Park
Toronto, ON
M7A 1A4
- If you want to make your submission to the Steve Peters' Consultations by telephone, you can record it on voice mail. In Toronto, call 416-325-5245.
If you are outside Toronto, call Toll Free 1-877-464-1440 to to make your submission voice mail .
If you want to make your submission to the Steven Peters consultations via TTY, in Toronto call 416-325-5244.
If you are outside Toronto, call Toll Free 1-877-463-9509 (double checking the toll free exchange) to make your submission via TTY.
Leave personal contact information if you wish; however; these numbers are there to record your submission only.
FOUR QUESTIONS FOR YOUR INPUT TO STEVE PETERS
- What barriers do persons with disabilities in Ontario face?
- What has been the impact on Ontario of having these barriers in place?
- What will the impact on Ontario be if these barriers are allowed to remain in place and if new barriers are allowed to be created?
- What should be included in the Ontarians with Disabilities Act to ensure it is both strong and effective at removing and preventing barriers and to achieve a barrier-free Ontario for people with disabilities?
Feel free to add any further comments you wish.
This is your opportunity to help bring Ontario closer to being barrier free For the 1.5 million Ontarians with disabilites.
Please note that seating may be limited at some of the consultation sessions. ASL Interpreters will be provided at most if not all the consultation sessions.
