According to a 2006 publication by the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, when it comes to electing a Party, the Liberals promised and demonstrated their dedication for a development in the support plans for the disabled. Unlike the other parties, the council did receive the Liberal’s 150 million dollar investment as an indication of their commitment. From the perspective of the CCD, the Liberals are more vocal and interactional when it comes to the matters of physical disability than any other political party in Canada.
Mullaly states that liberals strongly believe in the concept of equal opportunity; that it “provides everyone the means to succeed” (Mullaly, 97) and “climb the social ladder if they really try” (Mullaly, 96). The fact that liberals see equality of opportunity as an important factor in society is reinforced by a Liberal statement:
"We have a ways to go. But the Liberal vision for an accessible and inclusive Canada is clear. Ten years from now, Canadians with disabilities will enjoy the same Canada as other Canadians enjoy-where the only difference between Canadians with disabilities and those without will be the disability itself, not the quality of life."
Canada is a country with more accessibility for the physically disabled, but like the Liberals stated, we still have many things to improve on, such as the resources made available and the way people perceive the physically disabled as less than them in social status. Although Canada has resources and money to gain better accessibility, there have not been many changes. For example, a school just recently provided handicap door openers. Something that I believe should have been done five or more years ago occurred a year or two ago. We still have ways to go.
Along with raising more awareness for the disabled, the Liberals had produced a chapter in their platform called, “An Accessible and Inclusive Canada”. It is a chapter that emphasizes their belief of equal opportunity and ways to reduce and prevent more obstacles. The chapter includes the following:
“- A 10 Year National Strategy,
- Tax Assistance,
- A Registered Disability Savings Plan,
- Sustained Investment in Disability Supports,
- A Disability Dimension in Federal Initiatives,
- Combating Stigma and Raising Awareness,
- Safeguarding an Accessible and Inclusive Canada.”
Even though the Liberals were not selected, they are continuing to develop and succeed in their goal of an accessible and inclusive Canada. Although the funding and investments are promised to assist the disabled one of the obstacles that a percentage of the physically disabled has trouble overcoming is poverty and housing. In this article the Liberals attack Harper’s government saying that the Conservative Government have not done a lot to prevent poverty in Canada. It also states that out of the $75 million construction fund to house people with disabilities only 0.1 percent of that has been spent. That is definitely a shocking statistic that should raise awareness in the community, yet we never seem to take action and if we do progress is slow. Again, we have ways to go.
For more on the Liberal's questions for CCD and their answer visit:
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Mullaly, B. (2007). The New Structural Social Work (3rd ed.). Don Mills, Ontario: Oxford University Press Canada.
Great post! It is really good to know that the Liberal's are putting so much money aside and a plan to start helping out people who are physically disabled. It is unfortunate to see that the Conservative government has been lacking and not paying attention (what seems like none) to these people. Only spending 10% of what they have set aside gives the impression to Canada that they are not very serious and motivated to start helping physically disabled people.
ReplyDeleteThe plan the Liberals are setting up has many common features to a liberalism point of view, as you said to have physically disabled persons feel as equal as any other person in Canada. Also, raising awareness about the issue and having the government’s assistance.
One problem I do see about this plan is that it was proposed in 2006, and 4 years later I personally have not seen any major changes in Canada to help these people. There are still many businesses with no wheel chair ramps or handicap parking available. I guess I'm just wondering when the big change is going to occur!
- Jessica VL
"It also states that out of the $75 million construction fund to house people with disabilities only 0.1 percent of that has been spent."
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, that is a very shocking statistic. Hopefully more information like that is released to the public, so that people can make more informed choices when voting. Although the Liberal partie's politics aren't the greatest in regards to social welfare, a Liberal government would be a nice change over the Conservative one that we are under right now.
Crystal M.