Disabled Ontarians have reason for hope after passage last week of a private member’s resolution in the Ontario Legislature.
“I’m very pleased by the response to this resolution from my colleagues in the legislature,” said Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott, who introduced the resolution with the backing of the Ontario Community Support Association.
They are calling on the provincial government to add attendant services to the provincial waiting times strategy, and to allocate funding according to how many individuals actually require services.
“I was glad to see that it passed unanimously, with strong support from the Liberal members who were present,” said Arnott.
While the NDP had some questions, Arnott believes he addressed them and, in the end, the NDP members in the house at the time of the vote did not oppose his resolution.
“I want to thank my constituent, Debbie Black,” said Arnott. “She visited my office in August to tell me about wait times of up to ten years for attendant services, and I found that unacceptable.”
As an incomplete paraplegic, Black is confined to a wheelchair and requires the assistance of attendant service workers to complete everyday tasks.
“By being here today to tell her story, she helped make this resolution a success,” Arnott added. “For the people who need them, attendant services are not optional; they are absolutely necessary.
“They are absolutely necessary for physically disabled Ontarians to lead fulfilling lives. In spite of their disabilities, they have so much to contribute.”
Arnott said he hopes the resolution will put this priority squarely on the government’s agenda.
“The passage of this resolution sends a strong signal that this legislature recognizes we must do better,” said Arnott.
He said he plans to use it to continue pressuring the government to address the situation in the next budget, due in March.
