Evidence of meeting #118 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was c-81.
A video is available from Parliament.
Consultant, Steering Committee, Barrier-Free Manitoba
We're at the halfway point of that.
Liberal
Dan Ruimy Liberal Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC
If you were to gauge where you are in relation to achieving your 10-year targets, where would you say you are?
Consultant, Steering Committee, Barrier-Free Manitoba
If I had to give a number, I'd say 20%.
Liberal
Dan Ruimy Liberal Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC
I guess it comes to this: Are you seeing momentum? Once you start to get that cultural change, which Marie was talking about, then things start to pick up. When we look at our federally regulated agencies, such as airports, what we heard from a lot of those agencies is that they're way ahead of the ball game in relation to certain standards because they've taken it upon themselves.
I'm trying to understand why there's a difference. Is it a financial thing? Is it the mindset that because there was a 10-year time limit, people think we have time to get there?
Consultant, Steering Committee, Barrier-Free Manitoba
I say this advisedly. Again, I didn't use the word “failure”. I think champions are really important and I hope that all of you will be champions of this bill as it goes to third reading.
Marie was the champion in Ontario. We had a champion in the minister who introduced the bill. There were leadership difficulties within the NDP. She left cabinet and the leadership from the government of the time, the NDP government, was lost. I don't think we have a champion in our current government who is pushing this. The idea of having a real champion....
The other issue is that we've had a change in administration from the Liberal Party of 20 years to another party, 15 years, that might be less ideologically disposed towards regulation. Similarly, in Manitoba we went from an NDP government to a PC government, so the issue of having legislation that is durable, impactful and strong across governments becomes critical. That's the issue of having prescriptive—not enabling—language and timelines that last beyond current governments.
Conservative
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK
Thank you all for being here today.
I want to follow up on MP Ruimy's statement about the recent situation in Ontario, having things frozen and that type of thing. Were the standards frozen?
Dean, Chang School, Ryerson University, As an Individual
The committees that were developing standards were told not to meet yet. It wasn't for very long. The freeze wasn't for very long.
Conservative
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK
My question is how long these standards have been in development.
Dean, Chang School, Ryerson University, As an Individual
It's been 15 years.
Dean, Chang School, Ryerson University, As an Individual
Well, it's 13 years.
Conservative
Dean, Chang School, Ryerson University, As an Individual
There are quite a few standards. It does take a long time and there are a lot of people around the table. Yes, there is some frustration about how long it's taking, absolutely, but they are being developed.
Conservative
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK
Okay. Thank you.
My next question is for you, Neil. I want to pick your brain a bit. Was your organization consulted prior to this bill being drafted?
Executive Director, British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society
Yes. For the last two years we've worked in contacting first nations across Canada. We were part of many meetings with the ministers who've held the portfolio. We've given our recommendations quite a bit and have worked with the Assembly of First Nations, as I said. We have been involved.
Conservative
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK
I can't remember if it was you or Mr. Adair who talked about having indigenous peoples mentioned in the bill.
You both did? Okay.
They are not mentioned, from what I understand. How would you like to see this put in the bill?
Executive Director, British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society
We would like to make sure that first nations are covered under the bill or under the distinct first nations legislation that the AFN has requested from the government. We don't have any indication from the government on how this will be. Through our meetings with them, as I indicated, they said they were going to engage in a nation-to-nation consultation process to see at what level the legislation would be applicable, if at all. Our fear, of course, is that it will not be applicable and things will not change.
Conservative
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK
Were you given a timeline of when these discussions would happen?
Executive Director, British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society
Tentative—but they change. I spoke to the AFN today as well, and there has been no movement yet. The AFN is willing to work with government and is looking forward to the process. I understand there are different levels of bureaucracy that the government has to go through, but we're getting pretty late in the process now. The future is not clear, and I think that clarity is needed.
Conservative
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK
Mr. Adair, did you have anything to add to that? No. Okay.
Executive Director, Federal Accessibility Legislation Alliance
He's my teacher.
Conservative
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK
Perfect.
I've heard a lot about public education. I'm just wondering what would be sufficient, or what would look like a good head start. I know this is a different topic, but even with the legalization of marijuana, I expected there would be more public education before it happened and was rolled out, and there wasn't.
What would be sufficient for this bill in regard to public education?
Executive Director, Federal Accessibility Legislation Alliance
I can start.
Public education is an area of recommendation that the Federal Accessibility Legislation Alliance put forward as well. This is representing 56 organizations across the country. One of the things we're calling for is a change in attitudes. How do you change attitudes? There's a body of knowledge around what works and what does not work, and this body of knowledge needs to be applied in terms of the public education as well as the education of employers and the people who are responsible for implementing standards and regulations.
One of the best ways to change attitudes is to provide an opportunity where people work together, either voluntarily or on a work assignment, in an employment situation. A disabled person and a non-disabled person get to know each other and the barriers disappear. They just become people. That is one of the foundations for why we're arguing for two-thirds representation in the staff, in the committees and on the boards. Rubbing shoulders actually translates into changing attitudes.
As to how we do that with the general public, it's a challenge, but it can be achieved. It's a matter of having smart people work on it.
