Human Resources committee  Not forever. There are improvements everywhere.

Human Resources committee  David, I'd like to weigh in on this, if that's okay. I think federal regulations should have no exemptions. That's our stance completely. Where there are exemptions outside of that, we need to have a published, online, accessible format, a very transparent way for someone to put forward a request for exemption.

Human Resources committee  I don't think it would be organization or sector, because even under the small business area the revenue levels vary, the debt levels vary. I think we have to be smarter about the criteria, and it should not be a blanket approach. If I'm a small business in Manitoba and I'm running a small restaurant with 20 seats and I'm running at a deficit, there should be criteria online so that if I fall within that category and I need an exemption for now, not forever, I have a plan in place to become compliant under the act.

Human Resources committee  I agree. I think CASDO is a great element of the bill, and that's what our survey told us after the bill was introduced when we surveyed thousands of people with sight loss. I also think it's really important that we have a group of people with disabilities who are part of this process, especially when we start talking about those who want to put forward exemptions and other pieces, which will inevitably happen.

Human Resources committee  As part of this consultative process since 2016, whether it be through government consultation, public town halls, thematic round tables, the Prime Minister's youth forum, or an online survey, we at CNIB applaud the federal government for this legislation. CNIB was also part of two disability consultative groups funded by the federal government to consult with Canadians with disabilities from coast to coast to coast.

Human Resources committee  Good morning. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thanks for giving CNIB an opportunity to speak here today. As you mentioned, I am joined here by my colleague, Robbi Weldon, who is our program lead for peer support and leisure for eastern Ontario, and she'll be sharing this presentation with me today.