ODA Committee Update
November 8, 2002

ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMMITTEE UPDATE ODA and Related Disability Issues again arise in the Ontario Legislature over past week November 8, 2002 SUMMARY The ODA and related disability issues came up again twice in the past week in the Ontario Legislature. These events, summarized here, are set out in full below: * On November 5, 2002, the first anniversary of the Ontario Government introducing its ODA bill into the Legislature, Liberal disability critic Ernie Parsons made a statement about it in the Legislature. He focused on the Government's delays in getting the ODA 2001 implemented, and the lack of progress towards a barrier-free Ontario. * Earlier, on October 31, 2002, Liberal disability critic Ernie Parsons introduced a private member's bill into the Legislature. His bill provides for a process aimed at raising Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) benefits. A similar bill, introduced last spring by NDP disability critic Tony Martin, was defeated in the Legislature. The governing Conservatives voted Mr. Martin's bill down, while the NDP and Liberals voted in favour of Mr. Martin's bill. Mr. Parsons' bill passed first reading on October 31, 2002. His bill and the statement which he made about it in the Legislature are set out below. ***** Ontario Hansard Tuesday November 5, 2002 MEMBERS' STATEMENTS ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES LEGISLATION Mr Ernie Parsons (Prince Edward-Hastings): One year ago today, Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson introduced the Ontarians with Disabilities Act. This, by the way, is the minister who gave new meaning to the phrase "meeting with stakeholders." Many of my Conservative colleagues have said, "How is the act working? Can we have an update on it?" I'm pleased to provide that today. Since one year ago today, of the 13 major new commitments that were promised to Ontarians with disabilities, none have been kept. One year after appointing a new provincial advisory council, only five of 12 have been appointed -- not one woman. One year ago today, this government committed to working to launch an incentive program to get all sectors to work together to remove and prevent barriers. No program has been announced. Cam Jackson promised no new barriers. Fifty special education teachers were laid off in Ottawa, a major barrier to special-ed students. Former Citizenship Minister Isabel Bassett committed to amend the Ontario building code. Consultation took place in the winter of 2001. The reforms were passed in the spring of this year. Not one new measure included anything on disability access. Your government said that you would lead by example. Over the seven years, you are still working to try to make your own Web sites accessible. As far as private industry goes, Pizza Pizza in Toronto clearly demonstrated that they will not provide access to Ontarians with disabilities. Ontarians with disabilities say to your government, "Where's the beef?" ***** Ontario Hansard Thursday, October 31, 2002 ONTARIO DISABILITY SUPPORT PROGRAM AMENDMENT ACT, 2002 Mr Parsons moved first reading of the following bill: Bill 203, An Act to amend the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997 to empower the Integrity Commissioner to determine the level of income support. The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried. The member for a short statement? Mr Ernie Parsons (Prince Edward-Hastings): This is a bill that shouldn't have to be introduced, but it is an opportunity to let the government do the right thing. Unfortunately, it seems we have to embarrass him. At a time when cabinet ministers are living on publicly funded steaks, we have people on ODSP depending on food banks. The Speaker: Could you please just stick to your bill and the explanation? Don't let's get political, please. Mr Parsons: This bill amends the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997, to empower the Integrity Commissioner to make recommendations concerning the level of income support to be set by the Lieutenant Governor in Council under the program and the time and manner of providing it. This is a bill that does not cause the Legislature to spend money but provides for recommendations to be made. Legal opinion that I have received indicates that this is acceptable. ***** Ontario Disability Support Program Amendment Act, 2002 EXPLANATORY NOTE The Bill amends the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997 to empower the Integrity Commissioner to make recommendations concerning the level of income support to be set by the Lieutenant Governor in Council under the program and the time and manner of providing it. Bill 2002 An Act to amend the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997 to empower the Integrity Commissioner to determine the level of income support. Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows: 1. Section 11 of the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997 is repealed and the following substituted: Determination of income support 11. (1) The amount of income support to be provided and the time and manner of providing that support shall be determined in accordance with the regulations, but in making the regulations the Lieutenant Governor in Council shall consider the recommendations made in a report made under this section. Income support review (2) The Integrity Commissioner appointed under the Members' Integrity Act, 1994 shall, at such intervals as he or she considers appropriate, review the amount of income support paid under subsection (1) and make recommendations concerning the appropriate amount of support and the time and manner for providing it. Report (3) Following each review, the Integrity Commissioner shall prepare a report setting out his or her recommendations on the appropriate amount of income support and the time and manner for providing it. Same (4) The report of the Integrity Commissioner may recommend, (a) that some classes of income support be made mandatory and must be provided to persons who are eligible and other classes of income support be made discretionary; (b) the classes of persons who will be eligible to receive the income support; and (c) the method of determining what portion of income support should be provided with respect to each person. Tabling (5) The Integrity Commissioner shall cause a copy of the report to be delivered to the Speaker who shall, at the first opportunity, cause it to be tabled in the Assembly and published in The Ontario Gazette. Effective date (6) If the report recommends an increase in the amount of income support, it may also recommend that the increase may be retroactive to a date before the regulation made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council is filed. Commencement 2. This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent. Short title 3. The short title of this Act is the Ontario Disability Support Program Amendment Act, 2002.

 

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Last updated November 11, 2002 11:42 am