The Ontario Liberals' record on making the province more accessible for people with disabilities is less than impressive, and they haven't indicated that things will change if they are re-elected, says the spokesman for a group that advocates for the disabled.
"They don't even mention in their platform the Disability Act," said David Lepofsky, of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance, on Friday.
The Liberal platform, released Thursday, includes $14.7 billion in new spending.
Lepofsky said he is encouraged by the appointment of David Onley, who uses a wheelchair, as the province's new lieutenant-governor. Onley was sworn in Wednesday.
However, the Liberals have failed to fully implement the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, passed with support from all legislative parties in 2005, Lepofsky said.
He added that as of Friday, the Liberals hadn't responded to the group's request for the party to state its position on accessibility for the upcoming election, even though both the Progressive Conservative and New Democratic parties have committed to strengthening accessibility standards if elected.
Corrections and Clarifications
- Lt.-Gov. David Onley was not appointed by the provincial government, as was originally reported. In fact, lieutenants-governor are appointed by Canada's governor general. Sept. 10, 2007|10:02 a.m. ET
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Ontario Votes 2007 »
- McGuinty wins massive majority, Tory loses seat
- Dalton McGuinty won a second majority government for the Liberals in Ontario on Wednesday night, a triumph for a party that earlier expressed fears of a drop to minority status.
- Ontario rejects electoral reform in referendum
- Ontario voters have rejected a proposed electoral reform that would have seen some provincial legislators chosen based on a party's share of the popular vote, results showed Thursday.
- Ontario voter turnout a record low
- The percentage of eligible voters casting ballots in Wednesday's Ontario election hit an all-time low despite changes introduced in an effort to boost turnout.
- Ont. Green party scores 8 per cent of vote
- No Green party candidates made it to the Ontario legislature in Wednesday's election, but that defeat was sweetened by a swell in their share of the popular vote, which more than doubled.
- McGuinty only leader not facing leadership questions
- Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty won re-election in Ottawa South and NDP Leader Howard Hampton again won his northern Ontario riding of Kenora-Rainy River. PC Leader John Tory was defeated.
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More Ontario Votes Headlines »
- McGuinty wins massive majority, Tory loses seat
- Dalton McGuinty won a second majority government for the Liberals in Ontario on Wednesday night, a triumph for a party that earlier expressed fears of a drop to minority status.
- Ontario rejects electoral reform in referendum
- Ontario voters have rejected a proposed electoral reform that would have seen some provincial legislators chosen based on a party's share of the popular vote, results showed Thursday.
- Ontario voter turnout a record low
- The percentage of eligible voters casting ballots in Wednesday's Ontario election hit an all-time low despite changes introduced in an effort to boost turnout.
- Ont. Green party scores 8 per cent of vote
- No Green party candidates made it to the Ontario legislature in Wednesday's election, but that defeat was sweetened by a swell in their share of the popular vote, which more than doubled.
- McGuinty only leader not facing leadership questions
- Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty won re-election in Ottawa South and NDP Leader Howard Hampton again won his northern Ontario riding of Kenora-Rainy River. PC Leader John Tory was defeated.
