ODA Committee Update
dated May 10, 2004
posted August 3, 2004

ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMMITTEE UPDATE Several Noteworthy Pieces Of Information On The ODA Front May 10, 2004 SUMMARY Here is a quick update on three noteworthy pieces of information on the ongoing ODA issue. MORE DETAILS In this upcoming Thursday's Hamilton East by-election, we have learned that the Conservative candidate will be Tara Crugnale. As previously announced the other two main parties' candidates will be Ralph Agostino for the Liberals and Andrea Horwath for the NDP. If you are in the Hamilton East riding, be sure to vote and to raise the ODA issue in this by-election. If you need a copy of our ODA Action tip concerning this by-election, email us at: oda@odacommittee.net ***** On Monday, May 3, 2004, NDP MPP Michael Prue made a statement in the Legislature about various disability issues, including the need to pass a strong ODA. This came after the Liberal Government announced its new joint funding initiative that day with the Federal Government regarding barriers to employment against persons with disabilities. Mr. Prue stated: Mr Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): This last week, we saw a whole group of people who arrived from various parts of the province, including some who had walked all the way from Sarnia, to protest our treatment of the disabled. We know that the disabled are amongst the poorest in our province. We know that many of them subsist on a meagre $930 a month with which to feed and clothe and house themselves. We know that they have not had a raise in eight years. And we know that they are limited, where they are able to find some form of employment, to only a paltry $160 of extra money that they might earn. We know that that is compounded by a lack of affordable housing and that the social agencies that serve many of them also have not had any raises in years and years and years. Against that backdrop, we can only say we are thankful today for the very meagre and small announcement being made federally and provincially for some $20 million to help get the disabled into the workforce. That is, though, a very small amount of money to the some 90,000 to 100,000 people in this province who are disabled, many of whom are in receipt of ODSP. There are other things this government should be doing. We should be passing a real Ontarians with Disabilities Act, we should put real teeth into the building code, we should allow earnings of up to $600 a month for those who are able to work and we should of course increase the amount of money to people who have not had a raise for eight years. ***** Ontario's new Citizenship Minister Dr. Marie Bountrogianni again repeated her commitment to introduce measures to strengthen the Ontarians with Disabilities Act this fall. Below is the text of a Ministry news release concerning another disability issue involving rick Hanson, which includes the following statement: "In addition to our support of Wheels In Motion, we are moving quickly on our plan to introduce measures to make the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 strong and effective - and bring about real, positive change for all Ontarians," said Bountrogianni. "Our recent public consultations on the act have confirmed the need for greater awareness of the barriers to accessibility facing people with visible * and invisible disabilities," added Bountrogianni." ***** Canada NewsWire Portfolio E-Mail Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Transmitted by Canada NewsWire on : April 29, 2004 17:14 Ontario Government Pays Tribute to Canada's Man in Motion, Rick Hansen: Hansen Recognized for his Outstanding Contributions to Spinal Cord Injury and Disability Awareness TORONTO, April 29 /CNW/ - Premier Dalton McGuinty and Dr. Marie Bountrogianni, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration with responsibility for disability issues, paid tribute to Rick Hansen at a reception today at Queen's Park celebrating Hansen's latest project, Wheels In Motion. "When Rick Hansen wheeled around the world, he made us all proud to be Canadians," said Premier McGuinty. "He's asked all of us to help keep alive the dream that started with the original Man in Motion World Tour. I encourage Ontarians to get involved in upcoming Wheels in Motion events - together, we can accomplish great things." Hansen, well-known for his legendary Man In Motion World Tour (1985-87), is calling on all Ontarians to participate in Wheels In Motion on June 13th, 2004. Wheels In Motion raises funds to improve the quality of life of people with spinal cord injuries and for research leading to a cure. Money raised has also gone to improving peer support, community and residential access ramps, training assistance dogs, accessibility to children's play park structures and other quality of life initiatives. "I am excited about the Government of Ontario's support and encouragement for Wheels In Motion and the issue of spinal cord injury. This support embodies the government's service to the community and its residents with SCI and illustrates the necessary leadership and to ensure that people with SCI have the best possible quality of life everyday. I look forward to working together to make a difference," said Rick Hansen, President and CEO, Rick Hansen Man In Motion Foundation. Minister Bountrogianni shares the Premier's enthusiasm and pointed to the importance of ensuring people with disabilities have the opportunity to participate fully in society. "In addition to our support of Wheels In Motion, we are moving quickly on our plan to introduce measures to make the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 strong and effective - and bring about real, positive change for all Ontarians," said Bountrogianni. "Our recent public consultations on the act have confirmed the need for greater awareness of the barriers to accessibility facing people with visible and invisible disabilities," added Bountrogianni. "Rick has been raising awareness and breaking down barriers for a long time now. Our government recognizes this and it is why we are honouring him today." www.gov.on.ca/citizenship/accessibility -30- For further information: Contacts: James Ip, Minister's Office, (416) 325-6207; Anne Boody, Communications, (416) 314-7233

 

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