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ODA Committee Update
dated May 10, 2004
posted August 3, 2004

ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMMITTEE UPDATE

Several Noteworthy Pieces Of Information On The ODA Front

May 10, 2004

SUMMARY

Here is a quick update on three noteworthy pieces of information on the ongoing ODA issue.

MORE DETAILS

In this upcoming Thursday's Hamilton East by-election, we have
learned that the Conservative candidate will be Tara Crugnale. As
previously announced the other two main parties' candidates will
be Ralph Agostino for the Liberals and Andrea Horwath for the
NDP. If you are in the Hamilton East riding, be sure to vote and
to raise the ODA issue in this by-election. If you need a copy of
our ODA Action tip concerning this by-election, email us at:

oda@odacommittee.net

*****

On Monday, May 3, 2004, NDP MPP Michael Prue made a statement in
the Legislature about various disability issues, including the
need to pass a strong ODA. This came after the Liberal Government
announced its new joint funding initiative that day with the
Federal Government regarding barriers to employment against
persons with disabilities. Mr. Prue stated:

Mr Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): This last week, we saw a
whole group of people who arrived from various parts of the
province, including some who had walked all the way from Sarnia,
to protest our treatment of the disabled.

We know that the disabled are amongst the poorest in our
province. We know that many of them subsist on a meagre $930 a
month with which to feed and clothe and house themselves. We know
that they have not had a raise in eight years. And we know that
they are limited, where they are able to find some form of
employment, to only a paltry $160 of extra money that they might
earn. We know that that is compounded by a lack of affordable
housing and that the social agencies that serve many of them also
have not had any raises in years and years and years.

Against that backdrop, we can only say we are thankful today for
the very meagre and small announcement being made federally and
provincially for some $20 million to help get the disabled into
the workforce. That is, though, a very small amount of money to
the some 90,000 to 100,000 people in this province who are
disabled, many of whom are in receipt of ODSP.

There are other things this government should be doing. We should
be passing a real Ontarians with Disabilities Act, we should put
real teeth into the building code, we should allow earnings of up
to $600 a month for those who are able to work and we should of
course increase the amount of money to people who have not had a
raise for eight years.

*****

Ontario's new Citizenship Minister Dr. Marie Bountrogianni again
repeated her commitment to introduce measures to strengthen the
Ontarians with Disabilities Act this fall. Below is the text of a
Ministry news release concerning another disability issue
involving rick Hanson, which includes the following statement:

"In addition to our support of Wheels In Motion, we are moving
quickly on our plan to introduce measures to make the Ontarians
with Disabilities Act, 2001 strong and effective - and bring
about real, positive change for all Ontarians," said
Bountrogianni.

"Our recent public consultations on the act have confirmed the
need for greater awareness of the barriers to accessibility
facing people with visible * and invisible disabilities," added
Bountrogianni."

*****

Canada NewsWire Portfolio E-Mail
Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
Transmitted by Canada NewsWire on : April 29, 2004 17:14

Ontario Government Pays Tribute to Canada's Man in Motion, Rick Hansen: Hansen Recognized for his Outstanding Contributions to Spinal Cord Injury and Disability Awareness

TORONTO, April 29 /CNW/ - Premier Dalton McGuinty and Dr. Marie
Bountrogianni, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration with
responsibility for disability issues, paid tribute to Rick Hansen
at a reception today at Queen's Park celebrating Hansen's latest
project, Wheels In Motion.

"When Rick Hansen wheeled around the world, he made us all proud
to be Canadians," said Premier McGuinty. "He's asked all of us to
help keep alive the dream that started with the original Man in
Motion World Tour. I encourage Ontarians to get involved in
upcoming Wheels in Motion events - together, we can accomplish
great things."

Hansen, well-known for his legendary Man In Motion World Tour
(1985-87), is calling on all Ontarians to participate in Wheels
In Motion on June 13th, 2004. Wheels In Motion raises funds to
improve the quality of life of people with spinal cord injuries
and for research leading to a cure. Money raised has also gone to
improving peer support, community and residential access ramps,
training assistance dogs, accessibility to children's play park
structures and other quality of life initiatives.

"I am excited about the Government of Ontario's support and
encouragement for Wheels In Motion and the issue of spinal cord
injury. This support embodies the government's service to the
community and its residents with SCI and illustrates the
necessary leadership and to ensure that people with SCI have the
best possible quality of life everyday. I look forward to working
together to make a difference," said Rick Hansen, President and
CEO, Rick Hansen Man In Motion Foundation.

Minister Bountrogianni shares the Premier's enthusiasm and
pointed to the importance of ensuring people with disabilities
have the opportunity to participate fully in society.

"In addition to our support of Wheels In Motion, we are moving
quickly on our plan to introduce measures to make the Ontarians
with Disabilities Act, 2001 strong and effective - and bring
about real, positive change for all Ontarians," said
Bountrogianni.

"Our recent public consultations on the act have confirmed the
need for greater awareness of the barriers to accessibility
facing people with visible and invisible disabilities," added
Bountrogianni. "Rick has been raising awareness and breaking down
barriers for a long time now. Our government recognizes this and
it is why we are honouring him today."

www.gov.on.ca/citizenship/accessibility

-30-

For further information:
Contacts:

James Ip, Minister's Office,
(416) 325-6207;
Anne Boody, Communications,
(416) 314-7233

 

 

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