Harper Government improves accessibility for Canadians with disabilities in Peterborough and nearby Ontario townships

PETERBOROUGH, ON, April 25, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development, announced investments today in several projects to improve access for Canadians with disabilities in Peterborough and nearby communities.

Minister Poilievre made this announcement at Trent University, which received the investment for its Making Collaborative Learning Spaces Accessible for All! project. The aim of the initiative is to install wheelchair and standing-height accessible multifunctional workstations at the Peterborough and Durham campus libraries. The new equipment will improve the quality of the educational and work experiences of individuals using the University's campuses.

Nine other projects in Peterborough and nearby Ontario townships received Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) funding to improve accessibility for Canadians with disabilities. The investments will be used to construct ramps, install or retrofit elevators and entranceways and purchase assistive listening devices. The funding, which totals $296,737, is provided through the EAF.

Minister Poilievre also highlighted the Harper Government's Family Tax Cuts and Benefits Plan, which puts money back in the pockets of hard-working Canadian families. The proposed enhancements to the Universal Child Care Benefit would provide almost $2,000 per year for every child under the age of 6 and $720 for every child aged 6 through 17. The new benefit amounts would be retroactive to January 1, 2015, and reflected in monthly payments to recipients in July 2015.

Quick Facts

• Since the creation of the EAF in 2007, our Government has funded over 1,800 projects, helping thousands of Canadians gain better access to their communities' facilities, programs and services.
• An EAF call for proposals is currently open. Eligible organizations are encouraged to apply for funding for projects that will help improve accessibility in community facilities across Canada. The deadline for submissions is April 27, 2015.
• Under this call for proposals, organizations can receive a grant of up to $50,000.
• Examples of eligible projects could include:
  • building accessible playgrounds for children with disabilities;
  • widening hallways and doorways, installing elevators and automated power doors;
  • improving lighting, acoustics or contrast;
  • installing accessible washrooms and service counters; and
  • upgrading facilities that offer programs for adults and/or children with autism and other cognitive/intellectual impairments.
• The Family Tax Cuts and Benefits, combined with tax relief introduced by the Government since 2006, will provide a typical family of four with up to $6,600 in tax relief and enhanced benefits in 2015.
• Low and middle-income families will receive two-thirds of the overall benefits provided.

Quotes

"Our Government is committed to ensuring individuals of all abilities have equal access to public buildings— whether they be places of learning or workplaces—so that all Canadians can participate in and contribute to our communities."
– The Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development

"Trent University prides itself on leadership in accessibility. We strive not just to meet, but to exceed accessibility standards. This new grant from the Enabling Accessibility Fund will allow us to further break down any barriers that may prevent the full inclusion of all of our community members. This grant will allow Trent to increase the accessibility and utility of our campus spaces and offer students with disabilities the opportunity to work more collaboratively with peers, faculty and staff." 
– Julia Anderson, Director, Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Accessibility, Trent University

Associated Links

Canada's Economic Action Plan
Funding: Enabling Accessibility in Communities

Backgrounder

The Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) was originally announced in 2007 as a three-year, $45-million program to support community-based projects across Canada. Economic Action Plan 2013 extended the EAF on an ongoing basis at $15 million per year to continue to help improve community and workplace accessibility for Canadians with disabilities.

Since the first call for proposals in 2008, over 1,800 projects have been awarded funding to improve accessibility in Canadian communities and workplaces.

The community accessibility stream of the Enabling Accessibility Fund provides funding to eligible recipients for capital cost projects that improve accessibility. To be considered eligible for funding, projects must be directly related to removing barriers and increasing accessibility for people with disabilities in Canadian communities. All projects must also respond to funding priorities identified during the present call for proposals, including support from their community.

For further information on how to submit proposals under the current call for community-based projects, please visit www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/disability/eaf/.

The ten projects in Peterborough and nearby townships are detailed in the chart below.

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada