ODA Update
June 23, 2001

Five months from today is November 23, 2001. That is the deadline which the Ontario Legislature unanimously set for the enactment of a strong and effective ODA. On June 20, 2001, the Ministry of Citizenship made public its "Business Plan" for the year 2001-2002 (see below). This 17 page document sets out the core goals and core work of that Ministry for the current year. We encourage you to consider what this Business Plan says or does not say about the development of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act. It does not refer by name to the Ontarians with Disabilities Act at all. It does not include the development of this legislation in its list of the Ministry's "Core Business", or the "Key Commitments and Strategies" or the "Key Performance Measures" for the current year. The year to which it pertains includes the November 23, 2001 deadline for enactment of a strong and effective Ontarians with Disabilities Act. The Citizenship Minister's opening statement introducing the Business Plan repeats the statement in the April 19, 2001 Throne Speech referring vaguely to the introduction new disability legislation this session. However,the Business Plan itself does not indicate that this important legislation is in fact a core business or objective of the Ministry or among the Ministry's Key Commitments and Strategies for 2001-2002. Among its key commitments and strategies for this year in the disability area, the Business Plan states: "The ministry will continue to work toward removing barriers and increasing opportunities for persons with disabilities. We will continue to partner with disability organizations, the business community, municipalities and the broader public sector to raise awareness of the needs of persons with disabilities and to make workplaces and services more accessible. The ministry is developing a Web site to be launched in the fall of 2001. Paths to Equal Opportunity will build on the successful Gateway to Diversity equal opportunity Web site. Extensive, easy-to-find information, resources and success stories will help businesses and service providers remove barriers to prepare people with disabilities in workplaces and in services such as restaurants, hotels and recreational facilities." The only legislation that is listed among the Ministry's Key Commitments and Strategies that might pertain to disability barriers is in the area of as-yet unspecified amendments to the Ontario Human Rights Code. The Business Plan states: "Based on a review of recommendations from the Chair of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, proposed amendments to strengthen the Ontario Human Rights Code will be placed before the House." We currently have no information on what those proposed amendments would contain. As well, this Business Plan does not report any progress on developing the Ontarians with Disabilities Act among its "Key Achievements" for the last year. The previous Citizenship Minister, Helen Johns, had said that the ODA would be a "huge priority" for her, and that she was very actively and extensively involved in consulting and working on that project. You may wish to contrast all the specific other activities that the Ministry outlines for the past year in contrast to its content or lack of content on the ODA.   ***** Ontario Ministry of Citizenship Business Plan 2001-2002 Ontario Government Business Plans 2001-2002 Table of Contents * Message from Minister Cam Jackson * Message from Minister Diane Cunningham * Ministry Vision * Core Businesses * Annual Report on Key Achievements for 2000-2001 * Key Commitments and Strategies for 2001-2002 * Key Performance Measures * 2000 - 2001 Ministry Spending by Core Business Interim Actuals * 2000 - 2001 Ministry Approved Allocations by Core Business Plan * Who to Call Message from the Minister As the Minister of Citizenship, I am pleased to present the 2001-2002 business plan. Our focus is to improve the quality of life for the people of Ontario. We work to support the most vulnerable, ensure safe communities for seniors and women, protect human rights and to make sure everyone has equal access to opportunities. This year, the ministry is working with our partners to find common ground and shared solutions to address the needs of persons with disabilities. Action will be taken, including the introduction of legislation, to build on our commitment to those who face special barriers. The Ontario Human Rights Code is one of the finest pieces of legislation in North America. To strengthen the protection of human rights, the Chair of the Ontario Human Rights Commission has proposed legislative changes. Based on a review of his recommendations, amendments to the Ontario Human Rights Code will be placed before the House. To make our communities safer for seniors, the government will introduce new measures to combat elder abuse. Our strategy is based on the recommendations of a Round Table of experts - many of whom will remain our partners through implementation of our strategy. Our ministry continues to work with the justice system to assist women victims of violence who speak neither English nor French. Dianne Cunningham, the Minister Responsible for Women's Issues, shares our commitment to improving the quality of life for women and their children. Immigrants contribute a great deal to this province. The 2001 Budget provides additional resources to help foreign-trained professionals upgrade and use their skills in our workplace. To mark the United Nations International Year of Volunteers, we have introduced new initiatives to support volunteers and approximately 7,500 volunteers will be recognized at 39 Volunteer Service Award ceremonies held across the province. I look forward to working with our partners to make Ontario a place where all people are valued and can live with dignity. The Honourable Cam Jackson Minister of Citizenship Minister Responsible for Seniors Message from the Minister As Minister Responsible for Women, I am committed to a vision of an Ontario where all women can achieve economic independence and are free from violence. Violence against women is an all too familiar reality in Ontario. Sexual assault and domestic violence are crimes that take a terrible toll on women and their children. Our government is investing $140 million this year in the area of violence prevention including sexual assault prevention, treatment and education programs. We have created the largest, most comprehensive domestic violence court system in the country. The government is investing a further $26 million over the next four years to improve the safety of abused women by increasing the number of available beds in shelters. An additional $3 million will be added this year, growing to $9 million annually, for counselling, telephone crisis services and other supports. Economic independence for women is a priority of this government. It helps free women from violent relationships and allows women the opportunity to participate fully in society and contribute to the economy. Women in Skilled Trades and Information Technology Training for Women programs provide women with the opportunity to work in growth industries where skill shortages exist. I look forward to working with my colleague, Cam Jackson, Minister of Citizenship and Minister Responsible for Seniors, and other cabinet colleagues, as we strive to provide economic opportunities for women and make our communities safe for them and their children. The Honourable Dianne Cunningham Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Minister Responsible for Women's Issues Ministry Vision Ontario is blessed with many strong, prosperous and safe communities where the most vulnerable are supported and people and families enjoy a sense of peace, freedom and economic self- sufficiency. To build on this, our ministry has a vision of a province where: * human rights are respected and diversity is celebrated; * persons with disabilities are granted the same opportunities as other residents of Ontario; * all seniors can live free from harm, fully participate in their communities and have their contributions recognized and respected; * all women are able to achieve economic independence and they, and their children, can live free from the fear of violence; * newcomers are welcomed, supported and have access to employment opportunities where they can use the skills and experience they bring to our province, and * volunteerism is valued and people in all communities of Ontario are engaged in working together to improve the quality of life for everyone. To support this vision we are working with other ministries, governments, not-for-profit and private sector partners to promote policies and develop programs and services to address the needs of seniors, women, persons with disabilities and newcomers and improve their quality of life. Core Businesses The Ministry of Citizenship pursues its vision of an Ontario where the most vulnerable are supported and everyone is valued and can live with dignity through three core business areas: citizenship, women's issues and seniors' issues. Citizenship The ministry enforces human rights legislation and supports and promotes equal opportunity, responsible citizenship and voluntary action for the economic and social benefit of our communities. Through this core business area, the ministry focuses on building a province where volunteerism is valued and recognized and people are engaged in working together to improve the quality of life for everyone; where persons with disabilities have greater opportunities to participate in Ontario society; where newcomers are welcomed, human rights are respected and diversity is celebrated. Women's Issues The Ontario Women's Directorate (OWD) delivers the core business related to women's issues and provides focus for government action on issues of concern to women. Through partnerships with different sectors of society, the OWD works to advance women's economic independence and prevent violence against women and their children so that young girls and women can enjoy life and career success. The Ontario Women's Directorate strives to meet the ministry vision of a province where people and families enjoy a sense of peace, freedom and economic independence. Its goal is a province where all women are able to achieve economic self-sufficiency and where they can live free from the fear of violence against themselves and their children. Seniors' Issues The Ontario Seniors' Secretariat (OSS) delivers the core business related to seniors' issues and focuses on developing policies that improve the quality of life of Ontario seniors and educating the public about seniors' programs and issues. The OSS also works with other ministries to ensure seniors' needs are considered in all government policies and programs that could affect a senior's quality of life. The Ontario Seniors' Secretariat strives to meet the ministry vision of a province where all seniors can live free from harm, fully participate in their communities and have their contributions recognized and respected. Annual Report on Key Achievements for 2000-2001 Citizenship Through programs like the Partners Enabling Change and Community AccessAbility, the ministry worked with business, local governments and community organizations to improve access for persons with disabilities. The ministry continued to work with the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) to improve customer service and reduce the length of time needed to resolve a complaint. Significant progress was made. The OHRC's mediation target to resolve 65 per cent of cases going to mediation was exceeded and the target to resolve cases more than one-year old was met by 92 per cent. The Newcomer Services Program provided $3.7 million to 97 community-based agencies for settlement and integration programs for new immigrants. The Ontario Trillium Foundation again received $100 million of government funding generated through Ontario's charity casino initiative to make strategic investments in partnership with more than 1,300 charities and not-for-profit organizations to build healthy, sustainable and caring communities in Ontario. As in 1999-2000, this involved more than 300 volunteer members (donating their time through the 16 local grant review teams of the Foundation) making local decisions on local priorities. Responsibility for the Ontario Trillium Foundation was transferred to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Recreation in February 2001. This year marks the International Year of Volunteers (IYV) and brings to all Ontarians an opportunity to recognize volunteers, learn about volunteering and to make the choice to share in responsibility for their community. Planning for IYV was undertaken during 2000-2001. Details of Ontario's IYV can found under Key Commitments and Strategies for 2001-2002. The ministry continued its commitment to volunteerism with $3.7 million being provided to the Volunteer @ction.online program to fund 38 partnerships (involving 390 organizations) to increase the effectiveness of volunteers and community organizations through the use of Internet technology. The Ontario Screening Initiative provided information to more than 200,000 volunteers and volunteer leaders to help them protect the children, youth and vulnerable adults they serve by using safe practices in recruiting, selecting, training, supervising, and monitoring volunteers and staff. Women's Issues The Ontario Women's Directorate (OWD) has worked closely with a number of ministries to co-ordinate Ontario's Violence Against Women Prevention initiatives. Funding was provided for numerous innovative pilot projects such as training members of the community to respond to issues of sexual assault and suicide and the Safety First Audit, which examined women's safety throughout their involvement in the justice system. Awareness of violence against women was raised through approximately 80 public education projects developed and implemented in partnership with other ministries and private sector and community partners. Several projects promoting women's economic independence through partnership initiatives were developed, implemented, or expanded. By the end of 2000-01 the Women in Skilled Trades pre- apprenticeship program had been expanded to sites in central and southwestern Ontario, 209 women had enrolled and 30 had graduated. A minimum of 150 graduates are expected from the pilot Information Technology Training for Women program which was launched in 2000-2001. Through Partners for Change, programs and resources are developed to help girls and women make better career and life choices. In 2000-01 more than 200 English and French teachers volunteered to use the Your Money, Your Life, Your Way education package for high school students. Eleven Words on Work (WOW) sites were launched where successful women share their stories to help educate, inform and inspire students to make positive choices. More than 750 women have registered on the WOW web site and 248 have been invited by the schools to make a presentation. Two grant programs: Investing in Women's Futures and Advancing Women's Economic Independence support organizations that help women in creating their own economic opportunities. Combined program results showed 447 women getting jobs and 69 starting their own business. Seniors' Issues The Ontario Seniors' Secretariat (OSS) continued to co-ordinate the implementation of Ontario's Strategy for Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. OSS contracted with the Alzheimer Society of Ontario and the University of Toronto to educate seniors across Ontario about the process of advance care planning, and to train service providers across Ontario on how to respect the rights and wishes of seniors who have done advance care planning. During 2000-2001, the Round Table for Ontario's Elder Abuse Strategy met several times and convened three working groups; one for each of the Strategy's three priority areas: co-ordination of community services, training for front line staff, and raising public awareness of elder abuse. Over 100 informed stakeholders contributed their advice and suggestions through this process. The Round Table finalized its advice to government, and provided its report to the minister. In 2000-2001, an important step was taken to protect the health and well being of seniors in retirement homes. The Ontario Residential Care Association (ORCA) was funded to establish the first ever Retirement Home Complaints Response and Information Service. By calling 1-800-361-7254 seniors, their families and retirement home residents can get help to resolve a complaint about any retirement home in Ontario or receive up-to-date information about the full range of service and accommodation options. In partnership with the Ontario Pharmacists' Association, 21 safe medication use seminars for seniors were held across Ontario. Many more are scheduled for 2001-02. The Memory Project, undertaken with the Dominion Institute, educates high school students about the tremendous sacrifice veterans made for our freedom. Phase I of the project was completed in 1999. In 2000-2001, Phase II of the project produced an educational resource kit for veterans and teachers and an interactive Web site. www.thememoryproject.com In partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion and the Ministry of Transportation, a veteran's memorial park on Highway 16, the Veteran's Memorial Highway was opened in the fall of 2000. Ontario 2000 Throughout 2000, Ontario 2000 co-ordinated province-wide corporate millennium programs that emphasized community involvement and the active participation of everyone in Ontario. More than 100,000 people visited the TimeShip travelling exhibit developed by the Ontario Science Centre, Science North and the Royal Ontario Museum to explore the many dimensions of time; The Three Century Club expressed pride in our past by recognizing people who built the present through lives spanning three centuries through the enrolment of 663 of Ontario's most senior citizens. Over 250 babies born on January 1, 2000 and their parents received personalized certificates at Millennium Baby Events hosted by hospitals where the children were born. Main Street Ontario grants of more than $4.5 million gave 326 local communities the scope to plan and deliver their own exciting millennium activities. An additional $2.5 million in Special Project grants assisted 45 memorable regional or provincial initiatives by not-for-profit organizations and the broader public sector to foster broad participation. Nearly 500,000 copies of the full-colour Events of the Millennium Arts and Heritage Guide - a brand new cultural events promotional product containing some 1,650 listings from 480 different cultural organizations - were distributed, largely through partnerships with public and private organizations. Over 100,000 elementary and secondary school students participated in My Ontario, expressing their vision for Ontario's future in essays, poems, drawings and songs. Key Commitments and Strategies for 2001 - 2002. Key Commitments and Strategies for 2001-2002 The following commitments and strategies are designed to support the ministry vision of strong, prosperous and safe communities where the most vulnerable are supported and people and families can enjoy a sense of peace, freedom and economic self- sufficiency. The ministry's key strategic commitments focus on: * working within government and with our partners to ensure that the needs of women, seniors, new immigrants and persons with disabilities are recognized and that their contributions are acknowledged; * encouraging participation and involvement for the safety and continued vitality of Ontario communities; * promoting and developing self-reliance and leadership among our partners; * using legislative tools of government to protect human rights; * using innovative technology and business practices to achieve high-quality customer service to respond to the needs of our partners and the public; * supporting volunteers and volunteerism and encouraging others to get involved. Citizenship The ministry will continue to work toward removing barriers and increasing opportunities for persons with disabilities. We will continue to partner with disability organizations, the business community, municipalities and the broader public sector to raise awareness of the needs of persons with disabilities and to make workplaces and services more accessible. The ministry is developing a Web site to be launched in the fall of 2001. Paths to Equal Opportunity will build on the successful Gateway to Diversity equal opportunity Web site. Extensive, easy-to-find information, resources and success stories will help businesses and service providers remove barriers to prepare people with disabilities in workplaces and in services such as restaurants, hotels and recreational facilities. The Newcomer Settlement program will continue to support community-based delivery of immigrant settlement services through strategic funding and special initiatives that strengthen the settlement sector. The ministry will continue its role of co- ordinating Ontario's discussions with the federal government on immigration-related matters. We will assist the Ontario Human Rights Commission in continuing to reach its targets to improve customer service and reduce the length of time needed to resolve a complaint. Based on a review of recommendations from the Chair of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, proposed amendments to strengthen the Ontario Human Rights Code will be placed before the House. The ministry will work with communities to help them celebrate 2001 as the International Year of Volunteers (IYV). Funding will be provided to host 47 Community Volunteer Summits across the province to promote the important work of volunteers, encourage more Ontarians to volunteer, especially youth, and to provide an opportunity for volunteers, organizations and other local stakeholders to discuss community priorities and strategies. During IYV, funding for the Ontario Screening Initiative will help volunteer community groups better protect children, youth and vulnerable adults in their programs. Partners include the Ontario Sports Alliance, Ontario Community Support Association, Ontario Rural Council and the Catholic, Anglican, United and Unitarian faith communities. Making IT Work for Volunteers is a partnership between the Ontario government and the Information Technology Association of Canada -Ontario. The program boosts the technological capacity of the voluntary sector. Through mentoring, awards for IT excellence and capacity building workshops, not-for-profit organizations will become better equipped to operate in the electronic world. Under the expanded Volunteer Service Awards program, 39 ceremonies will be held to acknowledge the contributions of volunteers from the social service, agriculture, health, sport and recreation, law and justice and education sectors. More than 6,000 volunteers will be recognized for their contributions. A 50-year volunteer service award pin and special recognition for past recipients of the Outstanding Achievement Award will be added to this year's ceremonies to commemorate IYV. The Ontario Volunteer Hall of Fame will recognize past recipients of Ontario volunteer medals and awards. The Hall of Fame will be a part of the Volunteer Service Awards during 2001 and afterwards will be posted on the IYV Ontario Web site (www.iyvontario.on.ca). Women's Issues The Ontario Women's Directorate (OWD) has a government-wide leadership role in preventing and responding to violence against women and their children. In order to ensure future successes, we will continue to co-ordinate, monitor and evaluate Ontario's Violence Against Women Prevention Initiatives. As well, we will further our refinement of the performance management system by working closely with our partner ministries. Benchmarks will be established to determine the effectiveness of government funded programs and services for women and their children. Along with other ministries, community and private sector partners, we will work to address and prevent violence against women through innovative approaches, public education and awareness activities. OWD's commitment to promote young girls' and women's economic independence will be met through grants and partnerships with community organizations that inform girls and women of their career options and assist them to enter the labour force. The expanded Women in Skilled Trades Initiative and the new Information Technology Training Program for Women will provide women with increased opportunities to work in growth industries where skill shortages exist. Funding of organizations that help women create their own economic opportunities and increase their safety will be continued. Seniors' Issues In 2001-2002, the Ontario Seniors' Secretariat (OSS) will continue to work with major seniors' organizations to make seniors more aware of the full range of programs and services to which they may be entitled and help make the public more aware of seniors' concerns and contributions. A variety of public education and awareness initiatives will be undertaken in Seniors' Month and throughout the year. Over eighty safe medication use seminars for seniors will take place, students will continue to be educated about veterans' contributions, and the OSS will produce a guide for seniors about important programs and services that support independent and productive lifestyles. OSS will continue to co-ordinate the implementation of Ontario's Strategy for Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. In partnership with a wide range of stakeholders, the Secretariat will continue to work towards a strategy to combat elder abuse. OSS will monitor the progress of the Ontario Residential Care Association's Complaints Response and Information Service, and will survey users after the service's first full year of operation Key Performance Measures Core Business: Citizenship Goals/Outcomes Measures Targets/Standards 2001-2002 Commitments Complaints of Reduced length of The average age of Reduce the average discrimination time to resolve a cases at closing time required to are handled more complaint compared will be reduced to resolve a complaint expeditiously by to prior years. 12 months. from 16 months to 14 the Ontario Human months. Resolve 65 Rights per cent of cases Commission. going to mediation through the mediation process Core Business: Women's Issues Goals/Outcomes Measures Targets/Standards 2001-2002 Commitments Increased Number of women Benchmarks to be Provide funding to economic that find determined. women's organizations independence for employment resulting in 400 women. through women gaining jobs OWD-funded though employment / programs. self-employment. Core Business: Seniors' Issues Goals/Outcomes Measures Targets/Standards 2001-2002 Commitments An effective Level of awareness To be determined Undertake a survey Complaint of this new after baseline of retirement home Response and service among data has been clients after the Information retirement home established. program's first Service clients. full year of established for operation. Ontario's retirement home clients. 2000 - 2001 Ministry Spending by Core Business Interim Actuals Ministry of Citizenship Operating $78 million Staff (Note 1) 440 (Note 2) Citizenship Women's Issues Operating $32 million Operating $15 million Staff 188 (Note 2) Staff 29 Ontario Human Rights Commission Board of Inquiry Seniors' Issues Regional Services Operating $2 million Operating $6 million Staff 10 Staff 85 Ontario 2000 (Note 3) Ministry Administration (Note 4) Operating $6 million Staff 8 Operating $17 million Staff 120 Notes: 1. Expenditures are reported on a PSAB basis. Culture, Sport & Recreation and Ontario Trillium Foundation are being reported by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Recreation. 2. Staff numbers include staff from the following Schedule I agency: Ontario Human Rights Commission. 3. Ontario 2000 programs were completed in 2000-01. 4. Provided regional and corporate services support to the former Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation. 2000 - 2001 Ministry Approved Allocations by Core Business Plan Ministry of Citizenship Operating $78 million Staff (Note 1) 480 (Note 2) Citizenship Women's Issues Operating $35 million Operating $16 million Staff 214 (Note 2) Staff 32 Ontario Human Rights Commission Board of Inquiry Seniors' Issues Regional Services Operating $2 million Operating $7 million Staff 12 Staff 89 Ministry Administration (Note 3) Operating $18 million Staff 133 Notes: 1. Allocations are reported on a PSAB basis. 2. Staff numbers include staff from the following Schedule I agency: Ontario Human Rights Commission. 3. Provides regional and corporate services support to both the Ministry of Citizenship and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. Who to Call Minister's Office Carolyn Chaplin Executive Assistant (416) 325-6200 Ministry of Citizenship Citizenship Division Anna Furgiuele (416) 325-6240 anna.furgiuele@mczcr.gov.on.ca Regional and Corporate Services Division Fiona Menzies (416) 314-7315 fiona.menzies@mczcr.gov.on.ca Ontario Seniors' Secretariat Brian Dopking (416) 326-7067 brian.dopking@mczcr.gov.on.ca Ontario Women's Directorate Penny Finneron (416) 314-0365 penny.finneron@mczcr.gov.on.ca Web Sites Ministry of Citizenship: www.gov.on.ca/mczcr Ontario Seniors' Secretariat: www.gov.on.ca/mczcr/seniors Ontario Women's Directorate: www.gov.on.ca/mczcr/owd Copies of this document are available free from: Publications Ontario, 880 Bay Street, Toronto ON M7A 1N8. Tel: (416) 326-5300 Out-of-town customers except Ottawa call: 1-800-668-9938 In Ottawa, call (613) 238-3630 or toll-free 1-800-268-8758 Telephone service for the hearing impaired is available toll-free throughout Ontario at 1-800-268-7095 Order copies via the Internet at http://www.publications.gov.on.ca Obtain an electronic copy of this document at http://www.gov.on.ca Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2001 ISBN 0-7794-1114-5 Ce document est disponible en francais

 

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Last updated June 23, 2001