For Immediate Release

July 10, 2015

Harper Government improves accessibility for Canadians with disabilities in Sault Ste. Marie area

Sault Ste. Marie, ON – Today, Bryan Hayes, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development, announced improved access for Canadians with disabilities to programs and services in Sault Ste. Marie and area.

Three organizations in Sault Ste. Marie have been approved for funding through the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) to improve accessibility for Canadians with disabilities.  The Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie will receive $50,000, The Ontario Finnish Resthome Association will receive $43,915, and Community Bible Church will receive $7,786.

The City of Sault Ste. Marie plans to install rubberized tile and accessible playground equipment in a public park.  The Ontario Finnish Resthome Association will construct an accessible community garden, and the Community Bible church will retrofit their main entrance and build an accessible washroom.

Under this latest EAF rollout, the majority of projects will enhance access for children with disabilities (e.g. playgrounds and recreational facilities), Veterans with disabilities or seniors with disabilities.

Quick Facts

• The EAF commits $15 million per year to improve accessibility in facilities across Canada.
• Since the creation of the EAF in 2007, the Government of Canada has funded over 2,200 projects, helping thousands of Canadians get better access to their communities’ facilities, programs and services.
• In recent years, the Government of Canada has taken concrete action to support programs for people with disabilities:

o    The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities has helped 40,000 people with disabilities across Canada to prepare for, obtain and maintain employment or self-employment.

o    So far, Canadians have opened over 100,000 Registered Disability Savings Plans and have benefitted from over $1 billion in bonds and grants deposited by the federal government.

o    Representing an investment of $222 million per year in the provinces and territories, Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities are the single largest federal government investment in helping Canadians with disabilities get jobs.

o    The Government is also increasing the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB), providing direct benefits to 100 percent of families with children under the age of 18, including those who have children living with disabilities.

o    The UCCB will increase from $100 to $160 per month (totalling up to $1,920 per year) for children under the age of 6, and parents will receive a new benefit of $60 per month (up to $720 per year) for each child aged 6 through 17.

Quotes

“Our Government is committed to ensuring that Canadians of all abilities have the chance to contribute to our communities and be included in all aspects of society. Through our investments in the Enabling Accessibility Fund and our Family Tax Cuts and Benefits plan, we are continuing to support Canadian families and individuals to improve accessibility and create opportunities for all Canadians.”

– The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development

“The Government of Canada is creating opportunities for Canadians with disabilities through Enabling Accessibility Fund support to the Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie, the Ontario Finnish Resthome Association, and Community Bible Church’s projects. Thanks to organizations like these – that care about accessibility – we see first-hand how these projects make a real difference in our communities.”

– Bryan Hayes, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie