Word from the Top

"It’s true that I have a physical defect [Bell’s palsy]. God gave it to me. When I was a kid, people were laughing at me. But I accepted that because God gave me other qualities and I’m grateful."
-- Jean Chretien, October 1993

On October 25th, 1993 Canadians went to the polls and gave an overwhelming mandate to Jean Chretien and the Liberal party to manage this country for the next five years. Jean Chretien has specific plans for people with disabilities in Canada. The following correspondence reflects some of his intentions.

Dear Mr. Cohen:

Thank you for your fall issue. I found your list of questions relevant and important. I hope this letter responds to some of those issues.

I believe that the most important task facing this government is restoring public trust in our democratic institutions and hope for our future. The Liberal Party will implement a plan of economic, social and political renewal. My colleagues and I intend to help build a socio-economic framework where all Canadians can pursue their individual and collective well-being. Undoubtedly, the attainment of this goal requires the active partnership of all sectors of our society. I believe ABILITIES has an important role to play in this effort.

In December 1990, I announced plans for a Liberal Task Force on the Status of Disabled Persons. Led by the Liberal Critic for the Status of Disabled Persons, Beth Phinney, the task force commenced hearings in Ottawa on May 21, 1991. Over the course of the next four months, the task force travelled to Winnipeg, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Fredericton and Hamilton. Representatives from more than 40 disability organizations made presentations to the panel. The results of these consultations, presented in the report "Recommendations for Change," formed part of the broader process that led to our platform, Creating Opportunity: The Liberal Plan for Canada.

As you know, in 1991, over four million Canadians, or 16 per cent of the total population, reported some form of disability. The rates of unemployment and poverty in Canada for persons with disabilities are disproportionately higher than the rates for Canadians without disabilities. The situation is worse still for Aboriginal Peoples, and women, and visible minorities with disabilities.

I believe that effective governing for the 1990s and into the next century includes broadening the circle of participation in Canada’s economic, political and social renewal. Persons with disabilities are central to this process. Canadians must move towards eliminating the barriers that prevent independence and, instead, establish strategies that encourage independence.

Our party recognizes the vital importance of improving opportunities for on-the-job training that will broaden the skills and further develop the talents individuals can bring to the work force. Towards this end, the Liberal plan for Canada includes a comprehensive proposal to help Canada’s small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). A more dynamic SME sector provides opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate actively in the Canadian economy, either as entrepreneurs or as employees. This is one example of the Liberal Party’s belief that economic development and employment-related policies must include persons with disabilities.
Our apprenticeship initiative, another component of our platform, will allow the Liberal government to work with provincial governments, business and labour to ensure the establishment of common standards of training certification in occupations for which no apprenticeship programs currently exist. The broadening of the range of apprenticeable occupations will enhance the training and employment opportunities for Canadians with disabilities.

The recently cancelled Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) provided a loan or grant for home renovation to people of modest income. Not only was this program an investment in the physical and social fabric of our communities, it was also an investment in independence. The Liberal government will revive this program, which will enable persons with disabilities to stay in their own homes.

Our party fully supports the principle of employment equity. The primary purpose of the 1986 Employment Equity Act was to eliminate systemic barriers to employment faced by women, Aboriginal Peoples, persons with disabilities and visible minorities. In the 1992 all-party review of the legislation, Liberals released a minority report, "Not Fair Enough,"which pointed out that the current Employment Equity Act has no teeth. In order for employment equity legislation to be effective, it must extend to as many individuals and businesses as possible. Liberals advocate that mandatory goals and timetables be established, and that significant sanctions be applied where compliance is not forthcoming. Our platform contains a commitment to include the federal public service and federal agencies and commissions under the Employment Equity Act.

Our government plans to examine the size and relevance of existing boards and commissions to achieve cost savings by shrinking some boards and commissions and eliminating those that no longer play a useful role. To fill the vacancies that remain, the Liberal government will review the appointment process to ensure that necessary appointments are made on the basis of competence. Persons appointed by the Liberal government will better represent persons with disabilities, women, visible minorities and Aboriginal Peoples.

The achievement of employment equity depends on a strong economy. I believe the plan I announced during our election campaign is realistic. It can help stimulate the Canadian economy, providing urgently needed jobs, while also repairing our sadly neglected infrastructure.

As a legislator involved with the creation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, I am proud of the contribution our party has made to the establishment of individual rights in this country. Through the Charter, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of mental or physical disability, Canadians have already made some progress towards achieving full equity. Much work remains to be done, however.

The Court Challenges Program played a vital role in helping disadvantaged Canadians and groups fight for fairness and equality before the law. Over the years, progressive judgements were made possible because of the funding provided through the program. The Liberal government will restore the Court Challenges Program to help give all Canadians access to the courts.

The erosion of the social safety net in Canada is of great concern to the Liberal Party. As one of our greatest national projects, medicare is a defining element of Canadian society. Medicare is based upon the belief that every Canadian has a right to receive the health care he or she needs, regardless of personal circumstances. The development of medicare is interwoven with successive Liberal governments and provides a tangible example of our party’s commitment to compassionate public policy. Our government is committed to preserving universal health care.

Liberals categorically reject user fees for essential medical services. Experts agree that the main effect of such fees is to limit access to medicare for those who need it most -- the elderly and the poor.

The Liberal government will convene the National Forum on Health. All partners in the health care system -- hospitals, medical associations, health care providers and Canadians will work together towards solutions. These solutions will be based on the original Liberal principles that established medicare: publicly administered, comprehensive, universal, portable and accessible.

In 1992, the Conservative government introduced Bill C-78, An Act to Amend Certain Acts with Respect to Persons with Disabilities. The legislations, as passed, fell short of the recommendations proposed by disability groups across Canada. Over its first mandate, the Liberal government will undertake a legislative review and, after consultation with the disability community, introduce legislation that is acceptable to all. Transportation issues are of particular concern to persons with disabilities and, therefore, are a priority.

The policies presented in Creating Opportunity: The Liberal Plan for Canada show that my colleagues and I have listened to the concerns of Canadians with disabilities.

In closing, let me assure you that the Liberal government is committed to working with other levels of government, business, labour, community organizations and individuals to turn the principles of equality into action for the benefit of all Canadians.

Sincerely,
Jean Chretien