Let me begin by saying we don't really see the case for needing it; it's the government that came forward with it, so our answer is that if you're going to do it at all, do it subject to the restraints that we mentioned.
Here's why we don't think you need it. When you design an access standard, when you say to an organization, “Here's what you have to do”, it's not a one-size-fits-all standard. Different timelines can be set for taking action, depending on whether you're public sector or private sector or whether you're bigger or smaller. The flexibility can be designed in, based on the costs and the abilities of the obligated organizations.
Properly designed standards build those in. They've done it in Ontario, and if anything, the timelines have been too long. In other words, they've given obligated organizations more time than they needed to. It's certainly never been the case that they've been making them rush into action sooner. That's where the flexibility gets built in anyway.
Some members at this committee have asked at the hearings, “What's the cost of doing this?” Well, the cost of taking these actions is already required under the human rights code. This bill doesn't actually impose new obligations. It should codify the obligations that have been on the books under the charter and the Canadian Human Rights Act for decades. Recognizing that some organizations can do more sooner, because they have more resources and more capacity, you build that into the standards. You don't need to then turn around and create exemptions that essentially double-count and double-credit that situation.