ODA Update
May 13, 2002

ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMMITTEE UPDATE Premier Eves' First Throne Speech Says Nothing About Implementing New Ontarians With Disabilities Act 2001 May 13, 2002 SUMMARY On Thursday, May 9, 2002, the Ontario Government's first Throne Speech under Premier Ernie Eves was read in the Legislature. It is widely seen as the Ontario Government's priority list for the months leading up to the next provincial election. This Throne Speech said nothing about Government plans to implement the ODA 2001, or to fulfil the Government's 13 important commitments it made to Ontarians with disabilities last fall. This is Ontario's first Throne Speech since 1998 that made no mention of this subject. THE THRONE SPEECH - A CLOSER LOOK If you would like a copy of the entire Throne Speech Mailed to you, Email your request to: oda@odacommittee.net All this Throne Speech said about disabilities issues was the following: "Because some students require extra support throughout their studies, your government will expand the Learning Opportunities Program. Under the direction of Dr. Bette Stephenson, the program helps students with learning disabilities take advantage of post-secondary learning opportunities. Your government will expand the program to include all of Ontario's 18 public universities and 24 community colleges." The only time the Throne Speech referred to "removing barriers" was a reference not to those facing persons with disabilities, but those facing nurse practitioners, an important but unrelated topic. On that issue, the Throne Speech stated: "One important component of Family Health Networks valued by many Ontarians is nurse practitioners. That is why your government will work to break down the barriers faced by nurse practitioners. Your government will more than double the number of nurse practitioners and expand their role to include long-term care facilities, community health centres and emergency rooms. Nurse practitioners will be encouraged to work in communities that have been without physicians for an extended period of time." This Throne Speech stands in marked contrast to each of the past three Throne speeches. Each of the last three Throne Speeches addressed the ODA issue, even when the ODA itself was not to be placed before the Legislature in that specific session of the Legislature. * In the Conservative Government's April 22, 1999 Throne Speech, days before the Government called the 1999 provincial election, the Government committed to undertake new consultations and to produce a new bill, because the disability community had widely objected to the three-page, toothless bill which we were offered in November 1998. That Throne Speech included: "These - and other - religious observances, remind us that, whatever our background, we are united by common principles of family, tolerance, responsibility and compassion. These principles led your government to conduct province-wide consultations on barriers to accessibility faced by persons with disabilities. Last fall, your government introduced legislation - the first of its kind in Canada - aimed at breaking down those barriers. Concerns expressed about this pioneering legislation, however, have been heard. In response, your government will take the time necessary to gather additional input, and will consult further before reintroducing a bill for consideration by the Legislature." * In the October 21, 1999 Throne Speech, the Government committed to introduce an "action plan" on the ODA that session. The Government never did bring forward that action plan during that 15 month session of the Legislature. That Throne Speech included the following: "The desire to ensure opportunities for all members of society also underpins your government's ongoing effort to develop an Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Consultations on this important initiative continue. The goal is to introduce a new action plan this session." * On April 19, 2001, after effective lobbying by ODA supporters around the province, the Government's Throne Speech committed to introduce the ODA in that session of the Legislature. The Throne Speech listed 21 priorities for the Government, of which the ODA was Number 20. As we all know, the Government did bring forward the ODA 2001 in the fall of 2001, and passed it into law, although the majority of its provisions are not yet proclaimed into force. ODA supporters had worked very hard, calling and writing MPPs, to get an ODA pledge included in that Throne Speech. That Throne Speech stated: "Ontario is a diverse province. Not only is diversity cause for celebration, it offers a significant economic advantage. Some in the community face special barriers, including those who live with physical or mental disabilities. Ensuring equal opportunity for all is the 20th step of the plan. The government will seek common ground and shared solutions to address the needs of persons with disabilities, and take action, including the introduction of legislation, to build on its commitment. Ontario is a diverse province. Not only is diversity cause for celebration, it offers a significant economic advantage. Some in the community face special barriers, including those who live with physical or mental disabilities. Ensuring equal opportunity for all is the 20th step of the plan. The government will ek common ground and shared solutions to address the needs of persons with disabilities, and take action, including the introduction of legislation, to build on its commitment." Send us your feedback at: oda@odacommittee.net

 

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Last updated May 18, 2002