The Ontarians With Disabilities Act Committee: Premier Harris Election Promise; The ODA Committee is a voluntary coalition of individuals and community organizations who have united to secure the passage in Ontario of a new law which would achieve a barrier-free society for persons with disabilities.

Promise Letter to the ODA Committee

follow this link to see the scanned image of the Harris Promise letter
Office of the Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
Room 116
Parliament Buildings
Queen's Park
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1A8
Tel. (416) 325-7800
Fax (416) 325-7810
May 24, 1995
Mr. David Baker
Executive Director
Advocacy Resource Centre for the Handicapped
40 Orchard View Boulevard
Suite 255
Toronto, Ontario
M4R 1B9
Dear Mr. Baker,
Thank you for your most recent correspondence dated May 3rd, 1995 concerning the proposed Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
As I indicated to you in my response of May 11th, 1995 to the Advocacy Resource Centre for the Handicapped questionnaire, a Harris government would be willing to enact an Ontario with Disabilities Act in the first term of office within the economic goalposts of The Common Sense Revolution.
The accommodation issue is often the stumbling block when it comes to financing access to post-secondary institutions, transportation, government publications, training programs and communications. We hope, through cost efficiencies achieved in other areas of government, to direct much needed funding to accommodation.
I would be pleased to work together with your Committee in the development of such legislation.
Sincerely,
Michael D. Harris, M.P.P.
Leader
cc. Margaret Marland

May 11, 1995 Response to Elections Survey

Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee posed the following questions to the Tories:
Question 1: If your party is elected as the next government, will you commit to the prompt passage of an Ontarians with Disabilities Act no later than January 1996?
Tory Response:
A Harris government would be willing to enact an Ontario with Disabilities Act in the first term of office within the economic goalposts of the Common Sense Revolution. The accommodation issue is often the stumbling block when it comes to financing access to post-secondary institutions, transportation, government publications, training programs and communications. We hope through cost efficiencies achieved in other areas of government to direct much needed funding to accommodation.
Question 2: If elected, would your government enact by regulation the Ontario Human Rights Commission's Guidelines on the Accommodation of Persons with Disabilities?
Tory Response:
A Mike Harris government will review the Guidelines and make a determination on this point within 60 days of forming the government. We have committed to dedicate additional resources to the Human Rights Commission to help clear backlog and strengthen the program.

| Back to Index page | Letters Page |