| LEGISLATIVE
ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO
Official
Record of Debate
(Hansard)
International
day of disabled persons
December
3, 2003
Mr
Ted Arnott (Waterloo-Wellington): I want to thank the
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, who is also
the Minister of Children's Services, for her statement
today. This is the first time I've had the opportunity
to rise in this House as opposition critic for both
of her ministries, so I wish to begin by wishing her
well as she undertakes these important responsibilities
within the government. I also need to let the minister
know that I intend to provide constructive advice to
her, sometimes in the House, sometimes other ways, and
to the government when possible, and provide criticism
when necessary and appropriate.
The
International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed
by the United Nations, as was said, in 1992 to promote
understanding about disability issues and increase awareness
of the gains to be derived from integrating disabled
persons into all aspects of political, social, economic
and cultural life. I'm certain that I speak for all
members of this House when I say that we all support
these goals. I also believe that we need to support
these goals by thinking of disabled people first and
foremost in terms of the remarkable things they can
do and contribute. We need to recognize their extraordinary
talents, always be improving our society, our systems
and all programs and services of the government to ensure
that all Ontarians have opportunities to contribute
to the greater good.
I
commend the member for Burlington, who has spoken in
this House today and provided a thoughtful idea to enhance
access for disabled people in the public transit system.
He also served as Minister of Citizenship in the previous
government, which brought forward the Ontarians with
Disabilities Act. That act paved the way for the Accessibility
Advisory Council of Ontario and entrenched in law the
Accessibility Directorate of Ontario.
I
too wish recognize Mr Jeff Adams, chair of the Accessibility
Advisory Council of Ontario, who is with us in the Speaker's
gallery up above.
In
the throne speech the government made reference to the
need to do more to support Ontarians with disabilities,
and I'll quote from the speech: "Your new government
will work with Ontarians with disabilities on meaningful
legislation that will allow them to fully participate
in building a stronger province."
While
this statement is laudable in a general sense, this
commitment has no time frame, no specifics, no way of
measuring results, no reference to the involvement of
any MPPs in the process, save and except the minister
and her parliamentary assistant, I guess, and no plan
for implementation. In short, it is nothing more than
a motherhood statement which is intended to appease
the disabled community for the time being, while little
concrete action is likely to be taken in the coming
months.
I
want to offer the minister a constructive suggestion.
She should announce today that the government will support
the appointment of a select committee of MPPs on supporting
disabled persons. This select committee of MPPs could
be charged with the responsibility of reviewing the
legislation and the programs that we have, measuring
what works and what doesn't, and advising the government
on what needs to be done to move toward full participation
for disabled persons in Ontario and the goals outlined
by the UN. This committee would allow for all three
political parties in this House, including the New Democrats,
to participate in a meaningful dialogue with disabled
persons and participate in a renewed effort to support
their needs.
I
commend this idea to the government and encourage their
consideration.
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