April 07, 2010

Minister Craig Cook of St. Marks Presbyterian Church, Colton Gaston, Bruce Stanton, M.P., Anthony Choo, Fay Dewey, David Silk, Chairman of the Elevator Committee for St. Marks Presbyterian Church and Scott Beauman, Chair of the Board of Directors for West Ridge Early Education Centre.

Orillia, ON - Bruce Stanton, Member of Parliament for Simcoe North, today highlighted federal support for West Ridge Early Education Centre and St. Marks Presbyterian Church which will expand opportunities for people with disabilities and improve accessibility.

MP Stanton made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

“Our government is supporting people with disabilities and their families,” said Bruce Stanton, M.P. for Simcoe North. “Through the Enabling Accessibility Fund, this project will help people with disabilities by improving access to the services and facilities of two important community organizations.”

"At West Ridge Early Education Centre, we believe in a rich learning environment that fosters children’s independence and personal growth.  We believe in connecting children with their community and the world around them.  West Ridge Early Education Centre provides services to children of all backgrounds, abilities and economic levels, and we value the diversity that each child brings to the centre” said Chair of the Board of Directors, Scott Beaumont.

“The lower level of the centre contains a gymnasium, a meeting space which will be made available to community groups and a multi-purpose room in which we are considering operating a nursery school in future.  All of these spaces are wheelchair accessible.  Funding for an elevator through the Enabling Accessibility Fund will enable children and members of the community to fully participate in all the centre's facilities.  We are very grateful for the $24,100 grant, without which we could not have installed an elevator."

“The congregation of St. Mark's Presbyterian Church are very pleased to receive funding from the Enabling Accessibility Fund to help build an accessible lift as an alternative entrance and an accessible washroom within the building," said David Silk, Chair of the Board of Managers.  "These changes will allow St. Mark's to serve our community better." 

The Enabling Accessibility Fund supports community-based projects across the country that improve accessibility and enable all Canadians, regardless of physical ability, to participate and contribute to their communities and the economy. 

West Ridge Early Education Centre is receiving $24,100 to install an elevator which enables the children to fully participate in all activities within the centre. St. Marks Presbyterian Church is receiving $50,000 to install a wheelchair ramp, elevator, automatic doors, and to provide accessible washrooms.

These projects are just two of 169 projects announced by Minister Finley last fall. The three-year, $45-million Enabling Accessibility Fund is part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to address the needs of people with disabilities and help them reach their full potential. 

Canada’s Economic Action Plan and other recent federal initiatives are also addressing the needs of people with disabilities and their families through a series of important measures, including:

• $1 billion for renovations and energy retrofits to social housing, including renovations that support people with disabilities.
• An additional $75 million over two years for the construction of new social housing units for people with disabilities.
• $20 million for each of two years to improve the accessibility of federally owned buildings.
• Effective doubling of the tax relief provided by the Working Income Tax Benefit, which includes a supplement for persons with disabilities.

For more information on the Enabling Accessibility program please contact 1-866-268-2502 or visit http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/disability_issues/eaf/call2009/index.shtml