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Press Release
Liberal Party News Release
May 24, 2001


HARRIS SHOULDN'T CELEBRATE
THIS ANNIVERSARY, SAYS LIBERAL
CRITIC

NEWS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Queen's Park- Ernie Parsons, MPP for Prince Edward-Hastings and
Liberal Critic for Persons with Disabilities, today called on
Premier Mike Harris to reflect on his six year failure to fulfill
his promise to enact an Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA).

On May 24, 1995, Mike Harris wrote the now infamous letter to the
Ontarians with Disabilities Committee promising to enact
disabilities legislation in his first term of office. He also
promised to work with the ODA Committee to develop the law. Since
then and subsequent to his election, Harris has refused to even
meet with the committee.

"It is wrong and unacceptable that Ontarians have had to wait and
watch barrier after barrier go up around them", Parsons declared.
"Delay only increases the cost of removing these barriers later
while making it even more difficult for persons with disabilities
to participate as full citizens in this province", Parsons
elaborated.

"I believe that the only reason why we don't have an effective
and meaningful ODA today is because Mike Harris himself hasn't
let one happen. Harris made the promise. His government voted
with the opposition to unanimously pass two resolutions requiring
the enactment of an ODA by November 23rd of this year. If he
were serious about keeping his word, we would have something
concrete by now", Parsons argued. "If the past is an indication
of the future, it will a while before we have something we can
truly celebrate", Parsons concluded.

-30-

Contact:
Ernie Parsons, MPP Prince Edward-Hastings
Tel: (416) 325-4700


 

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Last updated May 24, 2001 2:45 pm