ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMMITTEE

CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT'S STATEMENTS SETTING OUT ITS 13 COMMITMENTS 
TO ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES

INTRODUCTION

Here is a list of the Conservative government's statements, setting out its 13
commitments to 1.5 million Ontarians with disabilities and their families and
friends, made in the fall of 2001. The government made these 13 commitments
during the debates over Bill 125, the proposed Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Many of these commitments were made by the government's Citizenship Minister, the Honourable Cam Jackson, in written documents and public statements. He is here referred to as "the Minister." He had lead responsibility during this process to speak for the Ontario government in this area.

Some of these commitments were made in public statements by other Conservative MPPs. In this process, the speeches of Conservative MPPs in support of a bill are usually written and approved by the Minister's staff or other officials for the government.

Where these statements were made in the Ontario Legislature, the references
below are to Hansard (the Legislature's official record), the date of the
statement, and where possible, the stage in the bill's proceeding (i.e. debates
over first, second or third reading, or during Question Period). Now that Bill
125 has been passed, it is known as the Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2001 or
"ODA 2001."

The government made some of these commitments in widely-publicized official
policy documents, released to the public during this process. One is the
Conservative government's "Vision Statement" for Ontarians with disabilities,
released on November 1, 2001 (here called "Vision Statement"). The government
published it in newspapers around Ontario. Another important document was a
detailed government policy document setting out the government's strategy for
persons with disabilities, called "Independence and Opportunity - Framework For
Change," publicly released on November 5, 2001 (here called "Framework for
Change").

All these commitments were clearly made on behalf of the Conservative
government. Where a statement refers to "principles" this usually refers to the
11 principles for the ODA. The Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee united
to propose these principles. The Legislature approved these principles for the
ODA by a unanimous resolution passed on November 29, 1998.

1.	ONTARIO WILL BECOME BARRIER-FREE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

The government committed Ontario to become a barrier-free province for persons with disabilities, where existing barriers are identified and removed, and new barriers are prevented. It committed that the ODA 2001's purpose is the
achievement of a barrier-free Ontario.

The government's "Vision Statement" commits: "We will move steadily towards a
province in which no new barriers to persons with disabilities are created and
existing ones are removed."

The "Framework for Change" states: "...by working together we can achieve our
vision of an Ontario where no new barriers are created and existing ones are
removed." It also committed: "We envision an Ontario where persons with
disabilities can experience the same fullness of opportunity as all Ontarians.
We envision an Ontario where persons with disabilities can get into and around
their community safely; attend and participate in a town council meeting; get
to a job that nurtures their skills; and live as independently as possible."

The "Framework for Change" also committed: "The Ontario government's commitment to persons with disabilities is ambitious. No other jurisdiction in Canada has made such a comprehensive commitment to create more accessible communities and to prevent and remove barriers to independence and opportunity. There are still many obstacles to true independence and opportunity in Ontario for persons with disabilities, but by working together we can achieve our vision of an Ontario where no new barriers are created and existing ones are removed." It committed as well: "We are creating an alternative future filled with anticipation, hope and change. More importantly, it will be filled with dignity as all Ontarians understand the needs of our citizens with different abilities."

The Minister stated: "We're determined to increase the independence, the
opportunity and the quality of life for persons with disabilities, to achieve a
province where existing barriers are removed and have a legislated plan in
place in order to remove existing barriers." (Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson,
Hansard, Statements on International Day for Persons with Disabilities,
December 3, 2001)

Also speaking for the government, Conservative MPP Julia Munro stated: "No one can quarrel with the goal: an Ontario in which no new barriers to persons with disabilities are created, and where existing ones are removed. That's where
we're headed." (Conservative MPP Julia Munro, Hansard, Second Reading Debate, November 20, 2001)

2.	ODA 2001 WILL MAKE ONTARIO BARRIER-FREE AS SOON AS REASONABLY POSSIBLE

(a)	ODA 2001 WILL BE KEY COMPONENT OF GOVERNMENT STRATEGY TO ACHIEVE BARRIER-FREE ONTARIO

The government committed that the ODA 2001 would be "a key component of the government's framework for achieving this vision." (Citizenship Minister Cam
Jackson's news release, November 5, 2001)

(b)	ODA 2001 WILL ACHIEVE BARRIER-FREE ONTARIO AS SOON AS REASONABLY POSSIBLE

The government committed that the ODA 2001 will bring Ontario to the goal of a
barrier-free Ontario "as soon as reasonably possible. The Minister stated: "Our
legislation will work toward a barrier-free Ontario as soon as reasonably
possible, which were the exact words in principle number 1 -- as soon as
reasonably possible. That's what this legislation says." (Citizenship Minister
Cam Jackson, Hansard Second Reading Debate, November 8, 2001)

(c)	ONTARIO WILL BECOME BARRIER-FREE FAR SOONER THAN THE AMERICANS

The government committed that Ontario can become barrier-free for persons with
disabilities, far sooner than the Americans achieve this goal. The Minister
stated: "We can achieve a barrier-free Ontario far sooner than the Americans
will because we already have those instruments of the Human Rights Code and the Charter of Rights." (Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson, Hansard, Second Reading Debate, November 8, 2001)

3.	ONTARIO TO BECOME CANADA'S MOST INCLUSIVE PROVINCE

The government committed that Ontario will become the most inclusive province
in Canada. In its "Framework for Change," the government committed: "Our plan
to make Ontario the most inclusive province in Canada calls for strong
legislation with the support of all sectors and levels of government,
non-legislative initiatives and a multi-year plan to realize our goal."

4.	NO NEW BARRIERS

(a)	NO NEW BARRIERS CREATED WITH TAX DOLLARS

The government acknowledged that it promised that it would not create any new
barriers with tax money. The Minister stated: "We believe it fulfils our
promise that we will not create new barriers with taxpayers' money, something
that the disability community has said makes no sense -- using their own tax
dollars to create environments that create barriers for them. We clearly can do
a better job, and it should be the law that we cannot create those barriers in
public spaces." (Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson, Hansard Second Reading
Debate November 8, 2001)

This government commitment includes committing to accessibility in
government-funded infra-structure and other capital projects. The Minister
stated: "This government, with taxpayers' dollars, has committed about $1.8
billion in infrastructure, transit, new hospital construction and new
university and college construction. This legislation says those projects must
be accessible to the higher standard in this province. We believe that's an
important element of this bill." (Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson, Hansard
Second Reading Debate November 8, 2001) He also stated: "Principle 10 imposes this requirement on the government and the municipalities, and also mandates accessibility as a requirement for all capital funding. It's mandated in the legislation." (Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson, Hansard Second Reading Debate, November 8, 2001)

(b)	NO OTHER NEW BARRIERS

The government also committed that no new barriers will be created in Ontario
against persons with disabilities. That commitment was not limited to the
prevention of the use of tax dollars to create new barriers. The Minister
stated: "Those plans (i.e. accessibility plans under the ODA 2001) will be the
basis on which we begin to do two things and two of the most important promises
we can make to persons with disability, and that is, we as legislators can this
evening say that in Ontario we will not create new barriers for persons with
disabilities any longer in our province and that we will have a managed plan
that has acceptance and buy-in from all stakeholders in this province, a plan
that will manage how we remove existing barriers so that there will be a day in
Ontario when all these barriers are removed." (Citizenship Minister Cam
Jackson, Third Reading Debate, December 13, 2001)

5.	MANDATORY REGULATIONS WILL COVER ALL SECTORS

(a)	STANDARDS WILL BE IMPOSED UNDER THE ODA 2001

The government committed that standards will be set under the ODA 2001. The
Minister committed: "For the first time in Canadian history, this legislation
empowers them to assist in making the regulations and the guidelines,
guidelines that didn't exist in this province for the five years of the
Liberals, guidelines and standards that didn't exist in the five and a half
years that you were the government, but guidelines and standards that will
exist in Ontario thanks to the government of Mike Harris." (Citizenship
Minister Cam Jackson, Hansard Question Period November 7, 2001)

(b)	GOVERNMENT WILL PASS REGULATIONS THAT IMPOSE MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

The government committed that the regulations would impose mandatory
requirements, in accordance with the 11 principles for the ODA. The Minister
committed: "Mandatory provisions will be prescribed in regulations as set out
in the 11 principles." (Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson, Hansard Question
Period November 7, 2001)

(c)	GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE REGULATIONS WHICH COVER ALL SECTORS INCLUDING THE PRIVATE SECTOR

The government committed that regulations will be made under the ODA 2001 which will cover every sector, including the private sector. The Minister stated:
"Finally, I want to share with the member opposite that the private sector is
specifically named in this legislation, and the regulations we will create
together will cover each and every sector of this province. That is a promise
made by the Mike Harris government, and we'll keep that promise." (Citizenship
Minister Cam Jackson, Hansard Question Period November 7, 2001)

The government also committed that there is a time frame for the private sector
to act, and that if not achieved, regulations are to be made over barriers in
the private sector. The Minister stated: "there is regulation-making authority
in this legislation to ensure that existing barriers are identified and removed
and that no new ones are created. That is not a threat; it is a part of our
action plan to remove private sector barriers. These regulations will be
developed and implemented within the prescribed time frame if, in the opinion
of the government and the Accessibility Advisory Council, compliance is not
happening fast enough in our province." (Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson,
Hansard Second Reading Debate, November 8, 2001)

(d)	GOVERNMENT IS DEVELOPING REGULATIONS FOR ENFORCEMENT FEATURES IF NECESSARY

The government committed that it is developing regulations that could contain
further enforcement features for the ODA 2001, if deemed necessary. The
Minister stated: "We're also developing regulations that could contain further
enforcement features if deemed necessary." (Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson,
Interview in Abilities Magazine, November 2001)

6.	DISABILITY COMMUNITY IN DRIVER'S SEAT AND SETTING STANDARDS

(a)	DISABILITY COMMUNITY WILL BE IN DRIVER'S SEAT TO SET STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS

The government committed that under the ODA 2001, the disability community
would be placed in the driver's seat, driving change in Ontario. The
Citizenship Minister's November 5, 2001 news release committed: "The
ground-breaking legislation ... puts persons with disabilities at the forefront
of change for the first time." In the Legislature, the Minister stated: "For
the first time, disabled citizens will be driving the changes and reforms we
create together in Ontario." (Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson, First Reading,
November 5, 2001) As well, speaking for the government, Conservative MPP Julia Munro stated: "The bill gives persons with disabilities an unparalleled
opportunity to shape and mould change. For the first time in Ontario's history,
we're putting the disability community into the framework of the legislation
and asking them to be our partner in driving it." (Conservative MPP Julia
Munro, Hansard Second Reading Debate, November 20, 2001)

(b)	DISABILITY COMMUNITY WILL DEVELOP THE REGULATIONS UNDER THE ODA 2001

The government committed that the regulations to be enacted under the ODA 2001 will be developed by the disability community. The Minister stated: "These
regulations will be developed by the disabilities community." (Citizenship
Minister Cam Jackson, Hansard, Question Period November 27, 2001) He also
stated: "We have indicated very clearly that this bill creates some
unprecedented opportunities in Ontario. Particularly, nowhere in North America
can we find any legislation which specifically empowers the disabilities
community to set regulations. ... We will welcome any friendly amendments that
help clarify that point if it gives additional comfort and satisfaction to
those people. But the fundamental principle is that this legislation contains
the opportunity for the disabilities community to make those decisions."
(Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson, Hansard Second Reading Debate, November 20,
2001)

(c)	DISABILITY COMMUNITY GIVEN PIVOTAL ROLE IN SETTING STANDARDS

This includes a government commitment that the disability community will create
the standards, and will be pivotal in creating the standards for preventing and
removing barriers in Ontario. The Minister stated: "The first thing that has to
happen is those standards have to be created. They will be created by the
disabilities community of this province because this government's made an
unprecedented commitment to them that they will help us make those
regulations." (Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson, Hansard Question Period
November 7, 2001) The Minister also stated: "We need the flexibility to set
those standards. For the first time, we need to entrench in law that the
disability community will be pivotal in creating those new standards and
assisting in developing the new regulations." (Citizenship Minister Cam
Jackson, Hansard Second Reading Debate, November 8, 2001)

(d)	DISABILITY COMMUNITY TO HELP SET TIME FRAME FOR IMPLEMENTING ACCESSIBILITY PLANS

This also includes a government commitment that the disability community will
help set such things as the time frames for accessibility plans to be
implemented. the Minister stated: "Persons with disabilities understand the
barriers that they are struggling with and confront on a daily basis. Their
knowledge and their experience is the single most important contribution to our
understanding of these necessary reforms. They become the province of Ontario's disability lens and they become the agents for change, helping to set the
guidelines, the mandatory terms of reference and time frames for completion of
accessibility plans to be implemented in a broad spectrum across our province."
(Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson, Hansard, Debate on Time Allocation Motion,
November 21, 2001)

(e)	DISABILITY COMMUNITY WILL DECIDE WHEN CITIES WILL BECOME ACCESSIBLE

The government also committed that the disability community will decide when
our cities will become accessible. The Minister stated: "The disabilities
community will tell us when our cities will become fully accessible, because
they will finally have the tools and the authority to determine the time frame
..." (Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson, Hansard, Second Reading Debate,
November 8, 2001)

7.	NEW PROVINCIAL ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL'S ROLE

(a)	THE ONTARIO ADVISORY COUNCIL WILL INCLUDE VOICES TO ENSURE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT LISTENS AND ACTS

The government committed that the new Ontario Accessibility Advisory Council
will be composed of voices from the disability community to ensure that the
government listens, understands and acts in accordance with the regulations.
The Minister committed: "There are many voices, many needs and many unique
challenges facing a broad range of citizens of all ages who are challenged by
their disabilities. The council will be composed of their voices to ensure that
this province listens, understands and acts in accordance with the regulations
we would create together."

(b)	ONTARIO ADVISORY COUNCIL WILL DECIDE WHEN IT IS REASONABLE FOR ONTARIO TO BECOME BARRIER-FREE

The government committed that the Ontario Accessibility Advisory Council will
decide the point in time when it will be reasonably possible for Ontario to
become a barrier-free province. The Minister stated: "And do you know who is
going to decide whether it's reasonable? The disabilities community, who sit on
the access advisory council of Ontario working on the regulations and meeting
with the private sector to say, 'You tell us how you're going to become
compliant with this legislation'." (Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson, Hansard
Second Reading Debate, November 8, 2001)

(c)	ONTARIO ADVISORY COUNCIL WILL DRIVE REFORMS INCLUDING REGULATIONS

The government committed that the Ontario Advisory Council will drive the
reforms in Ontario, including working on regulations and ultimately examining
and developing mandatory plans for the private sector. The Minister stated:
"This is going to be a very dynamic, powerful organization of disabled persons,
the majority of whom will be disabled persons, on the Accessibility Advisory
Council of Ontario. They will be driving the reforms and working on the
regulations, supervising and examining the accessibility plans for all of the
broad public sector in the first phase of this legislation and ultimately
examining and developing the mandatory plans for the private sector in the
future when we have those regulations ready." (Citizenship Minister Cam
Jackson, Hansard, Third Reading Debate, December 13, 2001)

(d)	ONTARIO ADVISORY COUNCIL WILL DRIVE THE WORK ON DEVELOPING ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS UNDER THE ODA 2001

The government committed that the Ontario Accessibility Advisory Council will
drive the work on developing enforcement mechanisms under the ODA 2001
necessary to ensure compliance. The Minister stated: "We're creating a council
with disabled persons who will drive the work on the enforcement mechanisms
whether it's the regulations, setting the guidelines, monitoring compliance,
reporting publicly on who's compliant and who's not, and they will develop with
us the necessary enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance." (Citizenship
Minister Cam Jackson, Interview on CBC Radio "Metro Morning" Program, November 6, 2001)

(e)	DISABILITY COMMUNITY WILL HAVE ACCESS TO ONTARIO ADVISORY COUNCIL AND MUNICIPAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES

The government committed that the Ontario Advisory Council and local municipal
Advisory Committees will be accessible to the disability community, and that
the government will be open to their advice. The Minister stated: "The disability community would have access to the Accessibility Advisory Council and local accessibility advisory committees. We will be harnessing their good ideas and their legitimate needs, and channelling those with future legislation or  regulations." (Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson, Interview in Abilities Magazine, November 2001)

(f)	ODA CONTAINS MECHANISM TO TELL GOVERNMENT WHEN AND HOW TO REMOVE BARRIERS

The government committed that the ODA 2001 contains a mechanism for persons with disabilities to tell the government what barriers they face, and when and how they should be removed. The minister stated: "We don't have to try to
negotiate through our communities on a daily basis the way they do. That's why,
when I presented this to cabinet, I insisted the legislation provide a mechanism for them to tell us how the barriers should be removed, when the barriers should be removed and what the barriers really are." (Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson, Hansard, Second Reading Debate, November 8, 2001)

8.	SPECIFIC ACTIONS BY ONTARIO GOVERNMENT

(a)	GOVERNMENT WILL FORCE COMPLIANCE IN ALL SECTORS BASED ON MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS, ACCESSIBILITY PLANS AND TIME FRAMES

The government committed to force compliance with the ODA 2001, based on the guidelines and accessibility plans that will be made public for every sector,
and based on time frames. The Minister stated: "We are going to force
compliance based on the guidelines and the accessibility plans that will be
made public for each and every sector in Ontario." (Citizenship Minister Cam
Jackson interview on CBC Radio's "Metro Morning" programme November 6, 2001) The Minister also stated: "It (i.e. the ODA 2001) gives municipalities,
universities, schools, hospitals and the private sector time to identify these
barriers and to plan to remove them within the reasonable time frames that will
be set out in regulations and which will be enforced by the government, but
those time frames will involve the disabilities community sitting down with
each of their institutions and their communities." (Citizenship Minister Cam
Jackson, Hansard Second Reading Debate November 8, 2001)

The government also committed that the ODA 2001 includes mandatory
requirements, and that these will be monitored and enforced. The minister
stated: "Well, it's just not going to happen that way and frankly, we have
demonstrated inside the legislation that there are mandatory requirements and
that they will be monitored and that they will be enforced." (Citizenship
Minister Cam Jackson, Interview on CBC Radio "Metro Morning" Program, November
6, 2001)

The Minister also stated: "The government has responded, first and foremost, by
saying that before we ask anyone in this province to comply with the mandatory
guidelines, the first mandatory guidelines would fall upon the shoulders of the
government of Ontario, each and every ministry, each and every agency of the
government of Ontario; and secondly, that those who rely on the support of
taxpayers in this province, their agencies and their organizations, whether
they are hospitals, community colleges, universities, whether they are
municipal institutions, they too must be compliant with these new higher
standards of compliance that will be required in Ontario." (Citizenship
Minister Cam Jackson, Hansard, Third Reading Debate, December 13, 2001)

(b)	TRANSIT PROVIDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO FILE AND COMPLY WITH THEIR ACCESSIBILITY PLANS

The government committed that transit providers will be required not only to
make accessibility plans, but also to comply with them. The Minister stated:
"Private sector transit services and all transit systems in this province will
mandatorily have to file and comply with their accessibility plans."
(Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson, Hansard Second Reading Debate, November 19,
2001)

(c)	GOVERNMENT WILL FILL LEADERSHIP ROLE TO SET HIGH STANDARD

The government committed to take on a leadership role, and to set a high
standard. The government's "Framework for Change" committed: "The provincial
government has a responsibility to set a high standard and to demonstrate
leadership." It also committed: "government, at the same time, needs to be a
leader in its own house by ensuring its own policies and practices are designed
to achieve accessibility in the Ontario Public Service (OPS). And it has a
responsibility to lead by defining the expectations and standards it expects of
its partners. The government's partners include municipalities, educational
institutions, hospitals, providers of public transportation, businesses and
employers - and the people of Ontario. The government of Ontario expects its
partners to improve accessibility over time, and is committed to working with
them and sharing the responsibility for developing shared solutions."
The Minister stated in his November 5, 2001 news release: "Ontario wants to
play a leadership role in ensuring that persons with disabilities achieve full
participation in society."

(d)	NEW ACCESSIBILITY DIRECTORATE WILL TAKE SPECIFIC ACTIONS TO PROMOTE ACCESSIBILITY INCLUDING LAUNCHING NEW INCENTIVE PROGRAM

The government committed that the New Accessibility Directorate will undertake
specific actions to promote accessibility. The "Framework for Change" committed
regarding this new office: "The directorate would: Provide specialized
knowledge and research. Assist municipalities, the OPS, school boards, public
transportation providers, hospitals, colleges, universities with accessibility
planning. Develop partnering relationships with standard-setting organizations,
the disability community and the private sector to continually remove barriers.
Consult with the disability community on an ongoing basis to implement change.
Provide information and advice to the government on disability-related issues.
Help develop sectoral standards and codes. The directorate would launch a
public education program to change attitude and awareness. The campaign would deliver the message that opening doors is everybody's business."

The government also committed that under the new Accessibility Directorate, it
will create and administer an incentive program to encourage the participation
of all sectors in identifying and removing barriers and setting standards. The
"Framework for Change" committed to the following initial government action:
"Through the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, the government would, as a
necessary first step, create and administer incentive programs to encourage the
participation of all sectors in identifying and removing barriers. One of the
first goals would be to encourage businesses to remove physical barriers, such
as obvious barriers at entranceways, to make businesses physically accessible
to persons with disabilities. Another would be to launch a substantial public
education program to overcome attitudinal barriers."

(e)	GOVERNMENT WILL TARGET SPECIFIC PRIVATE SECTOR PARTIES FOR COMPLIANCE

The government committed that it will select specific private sector companies
for compliance. The minister stated: "Private companies -- we are identifying
sector by sector, which of the private sector company -- er, corporations --
that we will be targeting in terms of their compliance." (Citizenship Minister
Cam Jackson, Interview on CBC Radio "Metro Morning" program, November 6, 2001)

(f)	GOVERNMENT WILL POST ITS "VISION STATEMENT" WIDELY

The government committed that its "Vision Statement" on a barrier-free Ontario
for persons with disabilities will be widely posted. Conservative MPP Tina
Molinari stated: "The vision is going to be widely displayed. It will be framed
and you will find it in government buildings, schools, hospitals, municipal
buildings, hotels and thousands of other places." (Conservative MPP Tina
Molinari, Hansard, Second Reading Debate, November 20, 2001)

(g)	 GOVERNMENT HAS KEY PLAYERS READY TO ACT

The government committed in late fall 2001 that it already had key players
prepared to swing into action to implement change. The framework for Change
committed that the government has "... a host of supportive stakeholders in
municipal government, the disability community, the broader public sector and
private sectors ready and willing to make it (i.e. a barrier-free Ontario)
happen." It also stated: "The private sector wants to do the right thing but
says it needs more access to information and advice on how to do it."

(h)	GOVERNMENT WILL NOT REST UNTIL IT ACHIEVES ITS VISION

The government committed that it will not rest until it achieves its vision.
Conservative MPP Carl DeFaria stated: "It takes time to develop expertise,
develop infrastructure and build a capacity for change, but we will not rest
until we have fulfilled our vision." (Conservative MPP Carl DeFaria, Hansard,
Second Reading Debate, November 8, 2001) Similarly, Conservative MPP Tina
Molinari stated: "We have embarked on a journey whose destination is a society
where old barriers are removed and no new barriers will ever be created. We
will not rest until we arrive at this destination. Our government has made a
special commitment to persons with disabilities, a commitment that builds and
has gone forward." (Conservative MPP Tina Molinari, Hansard, Second Reading
Debate, November 20, 2001)

9.	ONTARIO GOVERNMENT'S SPECIFIC RESULTS

(a)	ONTARIO GOVERNMENT WILL BE IN COMPLIANCE WITHIN FIVE YEARS

The government committed that the Ontario government itself should be able to
be in full compliance within five years. The Minister stated: "The provincial
government should be able to be compliant in under four or five years."
(Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson, Interview on CBC Radio "Metro Morning"
Program, November 6, 2001)

(b) SPECIFIC ACCESSIBILITY RESULTS

The government has committed to itself achieve specific accessibility results.

Regarding government buildings the "Framework for Change" committed: "New
construction would be accessible."

Regarding the services provided by the Ontario Public Service (OPS), the
"Framework for Change" committed:

"The requirements being proposed for the OPS would set important new standards for accessibility in this province and for accessible service delivery. The proposed legislation would require the government to meet accessibility
requirements in key areas of its activities. The legislation would have an
impact on services to the public; workplace policies and practices; buildings;
publications; government Internet sites; purchasing procedures; and capital
programs. ... government would be required by law to say how it plans to remove
barriers to accessibility and to demonstrate that it has taken action."

The "Framework for Change" also commits: "The government would be required to develop barrier-free design guidelines for buildings and premises, in
consultation with persons with disabilities and others. It would be required to
ensure that any buildings or premises it purchases, constructs or renovates
significantly, after the Bill comes into force, would comply with those
guidelines. Simply put, the business of Ontario ministries would be made more
accessible to employees and customers with disabilities."

The "Framework for Change" further commits: "Physical barriers would be
identified and removed over a prescribed period of time."

The "Framework for Change" as well committed to these results regarding the
Ontario government and its services: "Greater public accountability. Services
would be reviewed and improved. New guidelines for accessibility of government
buildings would be developed in conjunction with persons with disabilities and
others. Access to public buildings would be considerably improved; goods and
services would be more accessible; access to government information would be
greatly enhanced; public awareness of disability issues would be heightened
significantly. Improved access to publications, and to information on
government Internet sites. New construction would be accessible."

The "Framework for Change" also committed: "The province buys billions of
dollars worth of goods and services every year. It would be required by law to
make accessibility a consideration in such purchases. This would mean that
thousands of suppliers throughout Ontario would have to become aware of and
consider the accessibility of the goods and services they provide if they wish
to sell to the Ontario government."

10.	MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS' SPECIFIC RESULTS

The government committed to specific accessibility results at the municipal
level.

Regarding municipalities the "Framework for Change" committed: "Mandating
annual plans and committees will result in the identification and planned
removal of barriers over time. More than 160 municipalities would plan for
accessibility as a regular part of doing business." (Note: This commitment was
made when the ODA 2001 did not apply municipal barrier-free planning
requirements on municipalities with a population under 10,000. Subsequently,
Bill 125 was amended to extend barrier-free planning requirements to all
municipalities.)

The "Framework for Change" also committed: "Municipalities would be required to consider the needs of persons with disabilities when purchasing goods or
services through the procurement process." It also committed: "Municipalities
would also have to consider accessibility when approving a plan of a
subdivision and when engaging in planning. No new subdivisions or construction
would occur without consideration of accessibility features. Curb cuts and
audible traffic signals and inclusive design would become more common features
in communities across Ontario."

The "Framework for Change" committed that the following results would follow:
"Significant improvements in community accessibility - as demonstrated by those
municipalities that have already benefited from their accessibility advisory
committees and planning processes. Increased physical accessibility; higher
visibility of disability issues throughout the community; greater public
awareness of disability issues; more buildings and other sites (such as parks
and recreational facilities) made accessible. Greater public accountability. An
ongoing and participatory role in decision-making for persons with
disabilities. Greater consultation between the Association of Municipalities of
Ontario and the Accessibility Advisory Council of Ontario."

The government committed that municipalities will be required to take
accessibility into account when issuing licenses, among other things. The
Minister stated: "Municipalities would have to take accessibility into
consideration when approving, for example, subdivision plans and upon issuing
licences." (Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson, Hansard Second Reading Debate,
November 8, 2001)

The government committed that all Ontario municipalities covered by the ODA
2001 will be required to meet or exceed the standards now achieved in Windsor
and Thunder Bay. The Minister committed: "I have seen, first-hand, success
stories around the province and would like to acknowledge the leadership of
communities like Windsor, under Mayor Mike Hurst, and Thunder Bay, under Mayor Ken Boshcoff. All Ontario municipalities affected by this bill will be held to
the same high standard or even higher." (Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson,
Hansard, First Reading, November 5, 2001)

11.	BROADER PUBLIC SECTOR SPECIFIC RESULTS

The government committed to specific accessibility results in the broader
public sector e.g. schools, hospitals, public transit, colleges and
universities.

The "Framework for Change" committed: "Some 159 hospitals, 25 colleges, 17
universities, and 78 school boards would be developing and implementing plans
which would significantly enhance disabled persons' access to education,
training and services."

The "Framework for Change" committed to these results in the broader public
sector: "Increased access to schools, colleges, universities and hospitals.
Better services for persons with disabilities at schools, colleges,
universities and hospitals. As a result of increased accessibility in public
transportation, persons with disabilities would find it easier to move around
their communities safely, which would significantly enhance their ability to
participate fully in community life. Greater public accountability. Heightened
public awareness."

12.	PRIVATE SECTOR SPECIFIC RESULTS

The government committed to achieve specific accessibility results in the
private sector.

The "Framework for Change" committed to these results: "Development of
flexible, industry-appropriate standards. Private sector commitment, and
partnerships between industry and persons with disabilities. Clear sectoral
standards for accessibility. Standards could eventually become law. Every
sector of the community and the economy would be engaged in improving
accessibility to meet or exceed its own sector standards. Opportunities for
persons with disabilities significantly improve throughout the province as
sectors move towards greater accessibility. The accessibility bar would move
higher as each sector learns and benefits from each other."

In the "Framework for Change," the government committed to these results in the
private sector as a result of the government's promised new incentive program,
in which the Accessibility Directorate will be involved: "Improved access to
business facilities for those people in Ontario who use motorized scooters,
wheelchairs, walkers and other assistive devices. Independence of persons with
disabilities is enhanced. Increased retail job opportunities for persons with
disabilities. Considerable potential for retail businesses to attract customers
with disabilities."

The government also committed that the ODA 2001 would cause the private sector to know how to get the business of all Ontarians. Conservative MPP Carl DeFaria stated: "With this bill, the private sector will know what to do to get the
business of every Ontarian." (Conservative MPP Carl DeFaria, Hansard, Second
Reading Debate, November 8, 2001)
  
13.	MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

The government committed that the ODA 2001 will make a meaningful difference in the lives of Ontarians with disabilities. The Minister stated: "Finally,
principle 11: the proposed legislation does make meaningful improvements to the
lives of all Ontarians living with disabilities." (Citizenship Minister Cam
Jackson, Hansard, Second Reading Debate, November 8, 2001)

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