McGuinty government seeks public input on accessibility legislation
Delivering Positive Change Where It Is Needed Most
TORONTO, Jan. 28 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is delivering on its agenda for positive change by launching public consultations to ensure Ontarians with disabilities have an equal opportunity to build a stronger province, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Dr. Marie Bountrogianni announced today.
"Full accessibility benefits all of us," Dr. Bountrogianni said. "I am excited that we are going out into communities to listen to the people who will benefit from strengthened accessibility legislation. This fall, I hope to be in a position to introduce more meaningful legislation for people with disabilities."
As part of a full engagement strategy, Dr. Bountrogianni and her
Parliamentary Assistant, Dr. Kuldip Kular will hold public meetings across the province on how to make the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 stronger and more effective. The act was put in place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.
"These consultations will give us a fuller understanding of the common issues impacting people with disabilities, their family members, care givers and service providers," said Dr. Kular.
The public meetings, as well as meetings with key disability groups and public sector organizations, will be concluded by March 2004. A list of consultation dates and locations is available on the Accessibility Ontario
website: http://www.gov.on.ca/citizenship/accessibility/.
There are several ways people across Ontario can share their suggestions regarding changes to the act. People who cannot attend the meetings are encouraged to submit ideas and insights online, by phone or by regular mail no later than March 31, 2004:
- http://www.gov.on.ca/citizenship/accessibility/
- Phone line: 1-888-325-4957
- TTY: 1-888-335-6611
- Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, Ministry of Citizenship and
Immigration, 400 University Avenue, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON, M7A 2R9,
Attn: Public Consultations.
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MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON ACCESSIBILITY LEGISLATION
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List of Public Meetings
All public meetings will be held 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted
SOUTH WEST REGION - FEBRUARY 4
Giovanni Caboto Club
2175 Parent Avenue
Windsor
SOUTH EAST REGION - FEBRUARY 12
Recreational Association Centre
2451 Riverside Drive
Ottawa
CENTRAL REGION - FEBRUARY 19
Student Centre, McMaster University
1280 Main Street West
Hamilton
EASTERN REGION - FEBRUARY 26
Evinrude Community Centre
911 Monaghan Road
Peterborough
NORTHERN REGION
SUDBURY - March 17
College Boreal
les Entreprises Boreal
21, boulevard Lasalle
Sudbury
THUNDER BAY - March 25
Victoria Inn - The Kensington Room
555 W Arthur Street
Thunder Bay
GTA - March 23
Toronto
Location TBD (please check web site)
www.gov.on.ca/citizenship/accessibility
