On October 4, 2016 The Honourable Tracy MacCharles, Minister Responsible for Accessibility, recognized Disability Employment Awareness Month in Ontario in her statement to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN) applauds Minister MacCharles and the Government of Ontario for their commitment to inclusive employment.
From left to right: Joe Dale, Executive Director, ODEN; Diana McCauley, Secretary ODEN Board of Directors and Senior Manager, Employment Services and Knowledge Enterprise, Spinal Cord Injury Ontario; The Honourable Tracy MacCharles, Minister Responsible for Accessibility, Government of Ontario.
MINISTER TRACY MACCHARLES STATEMENT
Mr Speaker, I’m honoured to rise in the House today to recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Monsieur le Président, je suis honorée de me tenir devant l’Assemblée aujourd’hui pour célébrer le Mois national de la sensibilisation à l’emploi des personnes handicapées.
I’d also like to recognize the rich and enduring history of indigenous people in Ontario.
Toronto is a sacred gathering place for many people of Turtle Island, and I’d like to pay particular respect to the Mississaugas of the New Credit.
Today, Ontario joins governments and communities across the country to advocate for the inclusion of people of all abilities in our workforce. The fact is, increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities and building accessible workplaces is a matter of fundamental importance to our society today – and our economy of tomorrow.
It will expand business.
It will grow the economy.
It will diversify workplaces.
And it will strengthen communities.
There are many compelling reasons to promote inclusive employment, Mr Speaker – 800,000 of them are undeniable.
That’s the number of Canadians with disabilities out of the workforce — talented people who are ready, willing and able to contribute to their communities and economy.
It’s a social, cultural and economic imperative for the entire country, Mr. Speaker.
And it’s one that the Government of Ontario intends to address.
Il s’agit d’un impératif social, culturel et économique pour tout le Canada.
Et c’en est un à l’égard duquel le gouvernement de l’Ontario compte bien s’engager.
It’s why, 11 years ago, members of this House came together to support the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
It’s also why, this spring, Premier Wynne appointed Ontario’s first Minister Responsible for Accessibility.
AND I am honoured to serve in this role.
We have a bold vision for the future, Mr. Speaker; one where our province is accessible to people of all abilities by 2025.
To get there we will encourage employers to hire more people with disabilities – to expand their talent pool and strengthen their workforce.
We will also continue to work with companies, communities and individuals to embed accessibility in our workplaces and neighbourhoods to make inclusion part of our lives.
With a goal to become accessible by 2025, Ontario has become a global leader.
Across the province, communities, businesses and not-for-profits are implementing important accessibility standards.
Our accessible employment standard is helping to shift the way employers approach recruitment and retention.
It includes requirements to incorporate accessibility into hiring processes, workplace information and career development.
As we move forward, we will continue to highlight how simple and beneficial accessibility can be.
Inclusion should be a standard part of doing business in Ontario, Mr. Speaker.
We want all Ontarians to embrace accessibility.
Not simply as a legal obligation but as an exciting business and community-building opportunity.
That’s why our government is developing a cross-cutting, multi-ministry employment strategy for people with disabilities.
This new strategy will not only fulfill a major budget commitment.
It will also address recommendations made by the Partnership Council on Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities and the Premier’s Highly Skilled Workforce Panel.
By taking a whole-of-government approach and by listening to people with disabilities – it will help connect more people to the labour market while helping more employers to become accessible and meet their labour needs.
The idea is to offer streamlined services and in-demand training to address the requirements of job seekers and businesses.
We also understand that to achieve an accessible province by 2025, we need to change perceptions.
That’s why promoting a cultural shift is one of the three pillars in Ontario’s Accessibility Action Plan.
It will help to eliminate stigma, entrench inclusive values and lift expectations.
And we’re proud to partner with forward-thinking employers and organizations that can help spread the word.
The Ontario Disability Employment Network – a provincial accessibility champion – is hosting a number of employer events this month to promote the contributions people with disabilities make to workplaces.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is also reaching out to employers, organizing discussions that highlight how inclusive employment can boost a business’s bottom line.
Then there’s Dolphin Digital Technologies, Mr. Speaker.
The award-winning Ontario IT company has hosted an employment mentoring day for people with disabilities for the last six years.
This year’s mentorship day is expanding to six communities across the province.
Dolphin knows workers of all abilities would help companies reach a diverse global market.
And we know our economy would benefit from a larger tax base, increased innovation and competitive new sectors.
This is how inclusion can grow our economy, while strengthening our society.
Mr. Speaker, accessibility will build Ontario up.
It will help people of all abilities in their everyday life.
Monsieur le Président, l’accessibilité permettra de faire progresser l’Ontario.
Elle aidera les gens de toutes capacités au quotidien.
I invite everyone to join me in observing National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Let’s work together to break down employment barriers this month and every day of the year.
Thank You.
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