ODA Update
November 14, 2000

Would you like to know what the Ontario Government is telling itself internally
about what it committed to, vis … vis the Ontarians with Disabilities Act?


Liberal MPP Steve Peters filed a request for disclosure of internal
Government documents regarding the Ontarians with Disabilities Act
under the Freedom of Information Act.

After he met resistance from the Ministry of Citizenship and had to file
appeals, Steve Peters ultimately succeeded in getting some materials
disclosed. Among them are two internal Ministry of Citizenship documents
which are quite similar to each other.

These appear to set out a record of commitments made regarding the Ontarians
with Disabilities Act. Here is the text of them. Their numbers, Record #138 and
Record #139, appear to be record numbers placed on these documents during
the processing of the Freedom of Information request.

*****

Record 138
COMMITMENTS TO AN ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

Government Commitments

- October 21, 1999 Throne Speech

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.

- April 22, 1999 Throne Speech:

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.

- November 23, 1998 Introduction of Bill 83 Proposed Ontarians with
Disabilities Act

Legislative Resolutions

- November 23, 1999 (Peters Resolution), passed unanimously in the
Legislature

That in the opinion of the this House an Ontarians with
Disabilities Act that is strong and effective be enacted no later
than two years from today, November 23, 1999.

- October 29, 1998 Resolution (Duncan Resolution): to commit to 11
principles in an Ontarians with Disabilities Act, passed
unanimously in the Legislature

Summary: (full text in section XX tab YY of binder)

1. Barrier-free Ontario as soon as reasonably possible
2. Primacy over other legislation
3. Application to all sectors
4. Time limits for the implementation of accessibility plans
5. Time limits for workplace accessibility
6. Effective enforcement
7. Consultations with disability community on regulations
8. Public education
9. The promotion of adaptive technologies
10. Contract compliance
11. Overall meaningful improvements

- May 16,1996 Resolution (Boyd Resolution) to consult on and enact
an ODA unanimously passed by the Legislature (Boyd resolution): The
Government of Ontario should keep its promises as set out in the
letter from Michael D. Harris to the Ontarians with Disabilities
Act Committee dated May 24, 1995 to: (a) enact an Ontarians with
Disabilities Act within its current term of office; and (b) work
together with members of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act
Committee, amongst others, in the development of such legislation.

Municipal Resolutions

- London, Port Colborne, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines, have
recently passed resolutions:
- supporting the goal of enacting legislation to create a barrier
free society,
- calling on the Ontario Government to enact a strong and effective
ODA complying with the October 29, 1998 unanimous resolution in the
Legislature,
- resolving that Bill 83 is not acceptable.

Prepared by: Susan Picarello
Policy Advisor 314-7296

 

*****

Record 139
COMMITMENTS TO DISABILITY LEGISLATION

Government Commitments

- October 21, 1999 Throne Speech

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.

- May 15, 1999 pre-election commitment on Focus Ontario/Global TV

We didn't get passed ... but we tried to get passed a bill of
rights for those who are facing any kind of disability ... it would
have been the first in Canada and it met some resistance ... some
said it wasn't strong enough ... some said we shouldn't have it ...
but we're committed to bring that bill back too and the dollars
that will go with that.... - Premier Harris

- April 22, 1999 Throne Speech

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.

- November 23, 1998 Introduction of Bill 83, Proposed Ontarians
with Disabilities Act

- June 9, 1998 Premier's comments in Ottawa Citizen

Now we'll bring in a People with Disabilities Act, and anything
else required legislatively or regulatory-wise or program-wise ...
to help level the playing field for them. So you know that's one
significant thrust that you will see legislatively.

- May 5, 1998 Budget Speech

The Government is committed to supporting people with disabilities
through a variety of measures, including the creation of an
Ontarians with Disabilities Act. We will promote opportunities for
people with disabilities by increasing accessibility to employment,
transportation, education and training. People with disabilities
can, want to, and do contribute to a thriving economy.

- May 15, 1997 Premier's answer to question in House reaffirming
commitment

Premier, will you keep your word and honour your promise to
introduce an Ontarians with Disabilities Act? - Mr. Howard Hampton

You bet I will. - Premier Harris

- May/June 1995 pre-election commitment to ARCH, a legal resource
centre for persons with disabilities

A Harris government would be willing to enact an Ontarians with
Disabilities Act in the first term of office within the economic
goalposts of the Common Sense Revolution. - Premier Harris

- Legislative Resolutions

- November 23, 1999 (Peters Resolution) passed unanimously in the
Legislature

That in the opinion of the this House an Ontarians with
Disabilities Act that is strong and effective be enacted no later
than two years from today, November 23, 1999.

October 29, 1998 Resolution (Duncan Resolution) to commit to 11
principles in an Ontarians with Disabilities Act, passed
unanimously in the Legislature

Summary: (full text attached)
1. Barrier-free Ontario as soon as reasonably possible
2. Primacy over other legislation
3. Application to all sectors
4. Time limits for the implementation of accessibility plans
5. Time limits for workplace accessibility
6. Effective enforcement
7. Consultations with disability community on regulations
8. Public education
9. The promotion of adaptive technologies
10. Contract compliance
11. Overall meaningful improvements

- May 16, 1996 Resolution (Boyd Resolution) to consult on and enact
an ODA unanimously passed by the Legislature

The Government of Ontario should keep its promises as set out in
the letter from Michael D. Harris to the Ontarians with
Disabilities Act Committee dated May 24, 1995 to: (a) enact an
Ontarians with Disabilities Act within its current term of office,
and (b) work together with members of the Ontarians with
Disabilities Act Committee, amongst others, in the development of
such legislation.

- Municipal Resolutions

- London, Port Colborne, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines, passed
resolutions:
- supporting the goal of enacting legislation to create a barrier
free society,
- calling on the Ontario Government to enact a strong and effective
ODA complying with the October 29, 1998 unanimous resolution in the
Legislature,
- resolving that Bill 83 is not acceptable.

Prepared by: Susan Picarello
Telephone: 314-7296
Date: December 2, 1999
Revised: December 13, 1999

Approved by:
Policy Director: (name) Signature Date
Assistant Deputy Minister: (name) Signature Date
Deputy Minister: (name) Signature Date

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Last updated November 14, 2000 11:00 am