PRESS RELEASESteve Peters M.P.P
Elgin-Middlesex-London
Liberal Critic for Persons with Disabilitiesdd July 19, 2000
Steve Peters M.P.P
Elgin-Middlesex-London
Liberal Critic for Persons with DisabilitiesPRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release July 19, 2000.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND MINISTRY OF CITIZENSHIP WITHHOLDING
INFORMATION ON DISABILITYWitmer and Johns In Deemed Refusal of Freedom of Information and Privacy Act
Steve Peters, M.P.P., Liberal Disabilities Critic, has filed an appeal with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Office after being stonewalled by both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation.
Since the fall sitting of the Legislature 1999, Peters has been requesting information from Minister Helen Johns as to the government's consultations on an Ontarians With Disabilities Act. Both the Minister's office and the Premier have repeatedly refused to divulge with whom the government has been meeting, and what the results of those consultations have been.
April 7, 2000 Peters was forced to go to Freedom of Information to get answers. In May Peters handed the Premier a cheque for $465.00 during question period to cover the required search and processing fee. The Minister's office continued to stonewall by applying for a sixty day extension, and now, as of July 14, 2000, they are in deemed refusal of the Freedom of Information Act.
"This is an absolute outrage," says Peters. "This government has been dragging its feet for five years. More than 1.5 million people in this province face countless barriers on a daily basis. The last thing they need is a government that uses roadblocks and barriers to cover up their total lack of commitment to keeping its promises to the disabled community."
Minister of Health, Elizabeth Witmer is also involved in covering up the Harris govemment's disdain for the disabled. June 1, 2000 Peters filed a Freedom of Information request for the number of ppersons with developmental disabilities in psychiatric hospitals province wide. This followed the tragic death of Christopher Mooney at Whitby Mental Health Centre. Although the information has been collected it has not been approved by the Minister's
office for release. That information was due July 1, 2000."This government is afraid to let the public know the inadequacy of supportive and group housing for those with severe developmental disabilities. Waiting lists are as high as fifteen years and the needs of these people are simply not being met," says Peters. "It is a frightening question, but what are they trying to hide?"
For more information contact
Steve Peters MPP Elgin Middlesex London 519-631-0666
Suzanne van Bommel, Executive Assistant 519-631-0666
Mary Devorski, Regional Coordinator 416-325-7179
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