Diversity on council is needed, but it will take more than a mix of young and old.

The Windsor Star opinion by professor emeritus Brown-John notes, “The point is municipal councils are richer by virtue of a blend of experience and more youthful verve.”

When candidate Linden Crain ran for council at age 21, I had questions. Would academic skills translate to the real world? Would he relate to seniors? What about people with disabilities? How knowledgeable was he about the disability community? What was his attitude? Would he have divided loyalties, as a member of some organizations? Was he emulating politicians?

As a THRIVE team member that created its Open Air White Paper that embraced Open Air, Councillor Crain voted in favour of continuing Open Air.

As candidate Linden Crain, he campaigned to remove barriers at Open Air. I don’t recall a council meeting where he agreed that barriers needed to be removed. So, he flip-flopped.

In my opinion, despite the effort, all the youthful enthusiasm one can have, does not translate to relatable life experience, although a polished politician might give the appearance that it does.

A more diverse council would include gender equality and consist of representation of marginalized communities.

THRIVE Heritage White Paper states, the most important heritage action Council needs to do is create and approve a Heritage Conservation District in 2022.

Mayor Prue, in his inauguration speech said, we need a heritage district and we need urban design guidelines which have been promised for a long time and might finally come to fruition.

THRIVE Amherstburg’s Heritage White Paper included, We understand that the town has budgeted $25,000 for an RFP on the subject. We encourage administration to reconsider the need for an RFP and instead repurpose the monies for initiatives that the Heritage Planner can recommend. The Ontario government has all the information required regarding the Heritage Act available online, so an expensive RFP is not required.

In a Report to Council, administration is recommending MHBC Planning Aecom Canada Ltd. for consulting services for $120,924.90.

Could council have saved taxpayers some money? Maybe money that could have been spent on other priorities?

The intent of constructive criticism is improvement and focuses on an issue; like when I suggest removing barriers so persons with disabilities can equally participate in the community, or pointing out potholes to fix roads, or a lack of community pool for fitness – all things that help make a community better. Who would object to that?

Some people, based on their perspective, may perceive constructive criticism as negative feedback and dismiss it, ignore it, minimize it, defend it or argue against it for whatever reason.

Constructive criticism is not about focusing on any personal attributes, demeaning a person, finding fault, insults and public humiliation once or even repeatedly; destructive criticism harms and doesn’t help.

What marginalized community would like to encounter this sign? Does it indicate an attitude?

In the fourth AODA Review, Rich Donovon echoed the late Lieutenant Governor David Onley’s language that “no other demographic group faces these kinds of negative experiences, barriers and outright discrimination without public outcry, much less one that represents nearly a quarter of the population.”

Inclusive communities welcome ALL marginalized communities, not just some and only during festivals.

The blogger at amherstburg2.wordpress.com summarized the March 13, 2023 council meeting and I felt compelled to address some omissions and what I feel is a disservice.

Wikipedia: An opinion is a judgment, viewpoint, or statement that is not conclusive, rather than facts, which are true statements.

She felt that Open Air does not comply with AODA legislation. 

I stated, “I heard Councillor Pouget acknowledge the obligation to comply with the AODA and the Human Rights Code.”  

Because of statements by Deputy Mayor Gibb, who said he had accessibility training, who spoke personally and not as a person with a disability; and because of other statements I found offensive, I also stated, “But it was disheartening and concerning to hear statements like:

• that’s not for this group to address, that’s a policy of the town. 
• it is accessible.
• it’s more accessible for people, at least in wheelchairs,
• everybody loves Open Air the way it is,
• there are no barriers,
• and we’ve never had one complaint.”

She felt that she had complained publicly about this issue by writing emails and letters. 

I stated, ‘On numerous occasions, I raised the issue in emails, written submissions, blog posts, social media, questions to the candidates, and in letters to the editor.’ 

I made this statement because Anne Rota claimed, ‘there are no barriers in open air. There are not. Please come down and have a look. I know that for a fact. It’s not just the golf cart. We’ve actually opened up our arms if someone needs to get through. We’ve never had one complaint. That’s the honest truth in three years, and I’m sure we would have. Thank you.’

She felt that Ontario has blatant and overt discrimination with barriers for those with disabilities. 

I stated, “Former Lieutenant Governor David Onley noted in the third AODA Review Report: We are the only minority group in our society that faces blatant, overt discrimination and whose civil rights are infringed upon every day from multiple directions.”

It is a disservice to the memory of the late Honourable Lieutenant Governor and his advocacy to attribute his words to me and my feelings, even though I have lived the discrimination he refers to.

I included some barriers, and specifically, attitudinal barriers since they are sometimes the biggest barrier. I stated, ‘attitudes: making assumptions about people with disabilities; for example, what constitutes acceptable walking distances and accessible parking locations.’

She felt that if Open Air was approved as is, then council is excluding those with disabilities.

I stated, “If you approve Open Air as it is, then you’re also approving barriers that exclude people with disabilities.”

Fun fact: accessible parking has not been called ‘handicap’ parking in the legislation since 2009.

This is the shortened version of my March 13 presentation to council. And we all know the result – Mayor Prue broke the tie vote in favour of 14 weekends for 2023.

During Amherstburg’s budget deliberations, Councillor Pouget acknowledged the obligation to comply with the AODA and the Human Rights Code.  

But it was disheartening and concerning to hear statements like:

• that’s not for this group to address, that’s a policy of the town. 
• it is accessible.
• it’s more accessible for people, at least in wheelchairs,
• everybody loves Open Air the way it is,
• there are no barriers,
• and we’ve never had one complaint. 

The fact is I have complained, as have others. 

On numerous occasions, I raised the issue in emails, written submissions, blog posts, social media, questions to the candidates, and in letters to the editor.

Former Lieutenant Governor David Onley noted in the third AODA Review Report:

• Ontario is not a place of opportunity but one of countless, dispiriting, soul-crushing barriers. 
• We are the only minority group in our society that faces blatant, overt discrimination and whose civil rights are infringed upon every day from multiple directions. 

Rich Donovan just released the fourth AODA Review Interim Report and noted: 

• Despite 17 years since the AODA has come into force, People with Disabilities (PWD) still consistently face barriers in their everyday experiences.
• He echoed Onley’s language that “no other demographic group faces these kinds of negative experiences, barriers and outright discrimination without public outcry, much less one that represents nearly a quarter of the population.”

My human right to equal access is not a want; it is my right and that trumps wants, such as Open Air.

Publicly funded public spaces and rights-of-way are owned by everyone in the community. 

If you approve Open Air as it is, then you’re also approving barriers that exclude people with disabilities.