Appointment of the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council of Ontario
Toronto, Ontario, December 13, 2005
(Check Against Delivery)
Mr. Speaker.
I rise in the House today to announce a major step forward in our quest to improve accessibility throughout Ontario.
Today it is my pleasure to announce the appointment of a provincial advisory body that will move us along on our government's agenda to improve accessibility throughout Ontario.
Our government and every member of this House made a deep commitment to improve accessibility for everyone with a disability in Ontario when we passed the historic Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities legislation last year.
The passage of the AODA sent a strong statement to all Ontarians that we are embarking upon a new era of accessibility in Ontario — and that we will work together to improve accessibility for people with disabilities in all walks of life.
This legislation will stand as a legacy for all Ontarians, a legacy of accessible opportunity that is open to all our citizens.
Mr. Speaker, we intend to transform Ontario into an accessible society for people with disabilities because we believe that all Ontarians should have the opportunity to learn, work, play and otherwise participate in society to their fullest potential.
Our new Accessibility Standards Advisory Council is the embodiment of the spirit of the AODA. The council will be a guiding force as we work to make Ontario a truly accessible province.
When we first envisioned the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council, we knew that we wanted leaders from the disability community and strong involvement by the private sector.
The majority of members of our council are people with disabilities.
Mr. Speaker, this is important because we have such a wealth of talent in the disability community — people who have stood by us as we developed this legislation, people who believe in this legislation and are committed to working with us to make it real.
Together, our council represents a cross-section of business, public sector organizations and people with disabilities from all walks of life.
I am confident that we have selected a strong team of individuals who will help to shape our accessibility efforts in the years to come.
The council has a clear mandate.
It will provide strategic advice to help guide Ontario as the province moves to achieve our government's vision of an accessible society over the next 20 years.
More specifically, the council will advise me on the development of accessibility standards, and on sector-specific and general public education programs to support the effective implementation of the AODA.
Our government believes that people with disabilities should be able to fully participate in the social and economic life of our province, and our Accessibility Standards Advisory Council will help make sure we do it right.
Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of work to do.
But I am confident that we have chosen men and women for our council who will work to improve our work environments, our business operations, our buildings and our transportation systems.
Our Council will be chaired by David Onley.
As many of you may know, David is a veteran journalist with CITY-TV, and has a long history of volunteer work and advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities.
David was inducted into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame in 1997 for his ongoing contributions to advance the causes of people with physical disabilities.
And in 1996, Toronto's Clarke Institute presented him with the "Courage to Come Back" award. And in 2003, he received an honourary doctorate from the Canadian Christian College.
David will be joined by vice-chair Tracy MacCharles, from Pickering.
Tracy was a member of the former Accessibility Advisory Council of Ontario and has a strong background in employment equity for people with disabilities.
The other members of our council include:
• David Borthwick of Oakville;
• Robert Bailey of Amherstburg;
• Tyler Campbell of Sudbury;
• Uzma Khan of Mississauga;
• Dean P. LaBute of Windsor;
• Richard (Ric) E. McGee of Kawartha Lakes;
• Mike Murphy of Kingston;
• Judith Parisien of Alfred;
• Jutta Treviranus of Toronto;
• Jeffrey Willbond of Ottawa; and
• Dr. Kathryn Woodcock of Toronto.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to recognize the members of the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council of Ontario.
(Members are recognized)
Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, it's going to take everyone's commitment – people with disabilities, businesses and government – to build a barrier-free society.
Our new Accessibility Standards Advisory Council will guide the way, helping us create a more prosperous Ontario for all our citizens…
…an Ontario that benefits from the contributions of all its citizens.
And I believe we're well on our way to getting there.
Thank you.