Essex County’s Fest-for-All: A Call for Action on Accessibility

Posted on August 19, 2025 by theburgwatch

We need action, not more rhetoric.

From the Essex County News update about the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee’s ‘Fest-for-all’.

“Amherstburg is honoured to host this event and there’s no better place to host it than the Libro Centre – an accessible facility and the home of Canada’s first ever Miracle League,” said Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue. “There will be something for everyone at this amazing festival and it is my hope people come to Amherstburg from far and wide to learn more about accessibility issues and the importance of building inclusive, barrier-free communities.”
Mayor Michael Prue

Well I have been advocating for over 3 decades for accessibility by delegating, emailing, blogging, and writing letters to the editor. I resorted to a human rights complaint against the town to gain equal access to the library following my 10-year campaign.

Both staff and members of council, other than Councillor Pouget, have dismissed the existence of Open Air barriers. The number one complaint in the residents’ Open Air survey is accessibility but council did not take any meaningful action about it.

Councillor Crain

was the sole opposition to a residents’ Open Air survey, stating they’ve done an Open Air survey for residents and businesses so he felt it would waste staff time. CAO Critchley confirmed there was no resident wide survey.
Crain was part of the team that created the THRIVE Open Air white paper; from the THRIVE website, ‘We believe that it should be a permanent summer feature.’
During the 2022 campaign, Crain said yes to removing barriers during Open Air; it is important that all members of the community can experience Open Air. If there are particular barriers in place, I am more than willing to investigate further and help find a solution.
Crain also said he didn’t even think Open Air should have been a topic of discussion, that they shouldn’t even be discussing this every year because eventually it’s going to be nothing.
- During the November 21, 2024 Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Crain moved, McArthur seconded That:
  1. The report on the Open Air including the Business Survey and Open House BE RECEIVED for information; and
  2. Council SUPPORT the continuation of Open Air, in the same format, same times, and same duration, for the remainder of the current term of Council.
- During the November 25, 2024 council meeting, Crain moved, and McArthur seconded That:
  1. The report on the Open Air including the Business Survey and Open House BE
- RECEIVED for information; and
  2. Council SUPPORT the continuation of Open Air, in the same format, same times, and same duration, for the remainder of the current term of Council.

Councillor McArthur

volunteered to be on the Amherstburg accessibility committee
has championed Open Air.
McArthur said everybody he talked to loves Open Air the way it is.
McArthur stated how families come together, and he didn’t want to take that away from people. (Yet children with disabilities that can’t equally access play areas can’t come together with families, so they have that opportunity taken from them).
During the 2022 campaign, McArthur said if there are persisting issues with accessibility, let’s work collaboratively to address them in consultation with the Town’s Accessibility Advisory Committee.

Deputy Mayor Gibb

publicly admitted he’s a huge fan of Open Air.
Gibb stated he was ‘proud to say that I did complete the ADOA training that was offered to all members of council and I hope to put what I learned into practice not only in my “municipal life” but also in my personal life.
And then he said, “to me, Open Air makes the downtown more accessible for people with in at least in wheelchairs because I’ll tell you right now, try and push a wheelchair down one of those downtown sidewalks and you’ll see exactly what I mean.”
am800 2024, Gibb said, “”It’s family friendly, it’s free, it’s pet friendly, it’s accessible so we just want to invite all of Windsor and Essex County to come out to Amherstburg and get together and have a great time.”

Mayor Prue

broke the tie vote in favour of 14 weekends for 2023.
in 2023 Prue said, I have been to every single one of these events and probably most of the Open Air weekends; not all of them, but most of them. I have never seen any problem with access. My wife is the chair of the accessibility committee. I have discussed it with her she has never once said that there was any accessibility problem brought to that committee or anyone on the committee. I know there was one complainant, but I don’t necessarily agree with what’s being said. (aside from my complaint, council was advised that there was a member of the community who felt that there were barriers).
On the rainbow crosswalk, Prue said, ‘WE ARE AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY. GET USED TO IT’. “It helps to reinforce what an inclusive community is all about.” “I’m very proud of this town and foresight and the inclusivity that people have shown.”
On the dog park, Prue said it ‘reflects our commitment to creating a vibrant and inclusive community for all residents, including our beloved canine companions.’
On the Salty Dog patio, Prue said I am sorry that some people are not getting out of the way when someone comes by with a cane or a walker or a wheelchair, but what difference would it make if there was two cars there instead of the patio? If they won’t get out of the way on the sidewalk, they won’t get out of the way. And so I think a business case has been made, and I do believe that is in the best interest of the town to be a welcoming and friendly place for people to sit out and have a meal in the sun.
During the 2022 campaign, one of Prue’s priorities was, ‘Ensure all town buildings are accessible to facilitate an open and inclusive municipality.’
Prue referenced the AODA in 2023 and said in this town, we have not brought it into force.
In 2025 Prue referenced the AODA and said, ‘this town has not been compliant. And I have promised, as mayor, and the council has promised, that we will hence for, hence forward, going forward, always be AOD compliant. And I want people to know that the those who have disabilities have every right to use every one of the services in this town, the same as everyone else.’
On the sign by-law in 2025, Prue said I don’t mind the signs. I don’t mind them, provided they are AOD compliant. I will never, never support a sign that is blocking someone who is blind, in a wheelchair, a mother in a carriage, with a carriage. I will never, ever support that sign on the street, because those people have rights, same as all of us. They’re not different. They have rights, and their rights, I think, supersede the rights to be safe, supersede the rights to make money.

Anne Rota
was ordered to take human rights training following a human rights tribunal hearing
on Open Air, said, ‘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.’

Another ‘Want’ With An Over-expenditure Approved – Jack Purdie Park Trail

Posted on May 3, 2025 by theburgwatch

To ensure that anyone interested would like to read an accurate blog post about my April 14 delegation to Amherstburg council I’m sharing this document, which is what I actually stated. I reminded council that consultation with persons with disabilities was mandatory and I requested council to create a process to ensure compliance with the AODA Regulation, embrace the spirit of the AODA and to create an engagement policy, a topic that wasn’t discussed much and one which was not granted.

Jack Purdie Park Trail

In response to Councillor Pouget’s questions, the clerk outlined a four step consultation process that included consulting the accessibility committee and the public, which is what I pointed out. The AODA Regulation clearly states that, aside from the public and accessibility committee, it is mandatory to consult people with disabilities. Council’s lengthy discussion about the Jack Purdie Park trail then focused on the approximate $100,000. over-expenditure and procurement processes.

McArthur spoke about the condition of the trail and said they need to fix the trails in that park. It’ll benefit the people in the monopoly subdivision, will benefit the entire community, it will benefit the 6300 people with accessibility issues in town (people don’t have accessibility issues, they have disabilities and I bet he didn’t know about the 6300 people until I mentioned it that night) because it is going to make a wider path from a narrow one. It’s going to fix a patchwork of alligator cracks, and it’s going to be AODA compliant. (He actually mentioned AODA complaint).

Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb thought it was time to deliver for the people who live in that area. He believed it was the parks master plan, one of the top amenities that people wanted were walking trails so it checks that box for him. It’s unfortunate that it’s over budget, but costs are rising faster than anybody can account for them, which is certainly no fun. But we got to do what we got to do. I like the idea of having this in the park so that kids learning to ride bikes or roller blade or whatever can do it in the park rather than on the streets or on the sidewalks.

Councillor Crain parroted the master plan and he likes how they’re incorporating a number of trees and they’re now going to be making this pathway accessible; it went to the accessibility committee as well. (I don’t think he watched the accessibility committee meeting because the committee just sat there without any comments or questions, other than one member who asked how much over budget they were, $100,000. and the clerk interjected to say financials really are not in the realm of the advisory committees). About the high cost, well it’s very difficult for staff to catch up to that point when it is put out to tender.

Councillor Pouget said she would be voting against this; she cannot in good conscience vote for this. In a perfect world, maybe back in 2022 things were so different. Now in 2025 our residents fear for their livelihood. They’ve heard over and over again the food bank cannot keep up; they have over 27% increase with the needs of our municipality, and the mission is the same way. People are fearing for their jobs and their livelihood; they don’t know how they’re going to put food on the table and provide the necessities of life for their family. She believed it was unreasonable and unfair to approve a large, $100,000 over-expenditure for an eighth trail and the third large sliding hill in these tough economic times. This council cannot justify spending this large amount of money on a want instead of a need when Council must approve $191,303 for a boiler replacement tonight, and take $91,000 from reserves at the Libro, pay $3 million for a fire truck and another $91,000 taken from reserves. These are necessary needs. The track and hill are not a need; they are a want. This money for this expenditure, for this already beautiful park, would be better used to pay for the unforeseen costs of the expansion of our water treatment plant, the new policing replacement and contract, the town hall, the former Duffy’s property, and the upgrades and necessary repairs to all municipal buildings, crumbling infrastructure and replacement of dwindling reserves. It’s unfair to pour additional money to one park while other parks have been neglected, and it’s unreasonable to approve this over expenditure on a $30,000 grant from Enbridge that is currently unknown. It is ridiculous to approve this expenditure on these wants instead of these needs, when washrooms and shade cover are more important for this park. Just this past week, we were told that they couldn’t afford to repair the window sills at the library unless it went to the heritage committee and to the 2026 budget. Today, they were told they can’t fix six concession north, even though it’s in deplorable condition to the 2031 budget. For these reasons, I think that what we should be doing is taking a pause on this park and until our economy improves.

Mayor Prue passed the gavel to reminisce and praise Councillor Allaire. Prue mentioned sitting there in 2021 and talking about this park and an administration motion to sell a portion of the park off in order to get enough money to build what we’re building today. Well, ‘God bless Councillor Allaire, because she wasn’t a councillor then, but she went around that whole area putting up signs and organized the community. The community wanted no part of that park being sold off.’ (Generalized statements about survey results are often made, including claims that everyone wants it. As someone in the Jack Purdie Park survey commented, “Only approx. 369 people out of a town of 22,000 completed the survey. Why was some affordable housing options dismissed completely based on a survey completed by 369 persons out of 22,000 persons population?? A lot of power given to 369 opinions.”

Prue continued with his speech. What they wanted, and what they’re getting, is that park to be developed and we have fought for this for the last four and a half years for this to be a jewel, and I’m disappointed that it cost me more money than we thought it was going to cost but I will tell you that the council has to think long term. We have to listen to the residents. The community organized itself and said exactly what they wanted in this park. They’ve gone to all the meetings. They’ve told the staff what they want. They’ve gone to the meetings with the Parks and Recreation Committee. They’ve gone to the meetings with the accessibility committee. They’ve gone and explained every single aspect that’s necessary. I wish it was less money. Yes, I do. But remember, there are 12 people, 12 separate companies bid on this, 12 of them, and this was the lowest. So I don’t think we’re getting bamboozled here. I think that’s just the cost. So you either believe in those things that we said four and a half years ago or five years ago, and you believe in what the community wants and it’s the right thing to do, or you don’t, yes, can we save the money? Yes. Can we do something else? Yes, but I will tell you, there will be a lot of disappointed people in the monopoly area, all those kids (there’s about 2600 children ages 0-14 in town), all those parents, all those people have spent four and a half years fighting for this to see it go down the tubes. And I won’t let that happen.

In the end, the project was approved with only Councillor Pouget opposing the project.

Councillor Crain’s Accessibility Commitment

Posted on December 21, 2024 by theburgwatch

Following the 2022 election, I asked Crain the following questions. He answered. Then at some point he blocked me. I asked him why but didn’t get an answer. Actions do speak louder than words because he hasn’t always remained ‘available to address concerns any resident faces in the Town of Amherstburg.’

of the accessibility information the town provided to you for your campaign, which did you read?

I read all election material provided by the Town throughout my campaign, including any information pertaining to the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001, and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

what trainings have you participated in for accessibility legislation, for example, as an employee, volunteer, etc.?

Both the Town of Amherstburg and the County of Essex members of Council have received training on accessibility. I have also been advised that Administration will be doing a special session on accessibility in the first quarter of 2023.

how will you fulfill the obligation to remove barriers?

Continue an open dialogue with the Town’s Accessibility Advisory Committee.
Follow regulations outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Always remain available to address concerns any resident faces in the Town of Amherstburg.
Work closely with Town Administration to establish procedures and measures that ensure those with disabilities have the opportunity to experience all our community has to offer.

Open Air – If They Vote How Will They Vote?

Posted on November 13, 2023 by theburgwatch

The Open Air Report is on tonight’s meeting agenda and I predict another majority vote in favour, not necessarily a 4-3 vote.

Everyone on council knows about the accessibility issues because everyone is aware of the number of times I complained, despite the rebuttals; but now the survey results indicate more people have noted the accessibility and parking concerns.

Councillor Crain: I’ll start with the sole opposition to this survey. In August, Crain said he can’t grasp why Open Air specifically; they’ve done an Open Air survey for residents and businesses so he felt a survey just on Open Air seems to be wasting staff time.

CAO Critchley confirmed in an email that they have surveyed visitors and the businesses inside and outside the footprint but not a resident wide survey.

On February 22, Crain asked staff, hasn’t the past Council already looked at ways to refine open air and that’s why some of the barricades were moved in closer? This feels a bit redundant to me if this has already been looked at by council. And from last night and from what we’ve been hearing, it’s pretty clear that the format is great. But based on my understanding, council’s already looked at this.

Crain was part of the team that created the THRIVE Open Air white paper; from the THRIVE website, ‘We believe that it should be a permanent summer feature.’

On March 13, Crain said he didn’t even think Open Air should have been a topic of discussion. He also thought they shouldn’t even be discussing this every year because eventually it’s going to be nothing.

On September 16, I asked Crain if he considered declaring a conflict of interest for Open Air discussions involving the event itself and the survey? No response.

As a candidate, in answer to one of the burg watch 2022 campaign questions to the candidates asking if they will remove barriers during Open Air weekends, Crain said yes. He voted in favour.

Councillor McArthur: has happily and consistently championed Open Air. As council’s rep to the Accessibility Advisory Committee, I expected he would advocate to remove barriers. He spewed out the statistics from an admin report on the number of parking spaces within a six-minute walking radius. ‘If there are persisting issues with accessibility, let’s work collaboratively to address them in consultation with the Town’s Accessibility Advisory Committee.’ But he’s on the committee. He voted in favour.

Deputy Mayor Gibb: wears a few hats: business owner, chamber of commerce member, family member, elected official but he publicly admitted he’s a huge fan. While he emailed, as Deputy Mayor, that he was ‘proud to say that I did complete the ADOA training that was offered to all members of council and I hope to put what I learned into practice not only in my “municipal life” but also in my personal life. And then he said, Open Air makes the downtown more accessible for people with in at least in wheelchairs because his mother-in-law and father-in-law both live at Richmond Terrace and he’s personally pushed a wheelchair from Richmond Terrace downtown. He voted in favour.

Mayor Prue: has given a few speeches at council meetings about being in the legislature when the AODA was introduced decades ago. He stated he has never seen any problem with access and cited his wife as Chair of the Accessibility Committee. I have discussed it with her, she has never once said that there was any accessibility problem brought to that committee or anyone on the committee. He acknowledged one complainant, but he doesn’t necessarily agree with what’s being said; so it is accessible.

Prue asked council to find it in their hearts to compromise with the other side; he broke the tie vote in favour.

Councillor Pouget: has consistently acknowledged the town’s obligation to remove barriers that prevent people with disabilities from equally participating in the community.

Councillor Courtney: has also acknowledged the importance of accessibility, removing barriers and considering the interests of the whole community.

Councillor Allaire: considered pros and cons and seemed to want to compromise in favour of a shorter time frame.

Hypocrisy And Hypercriticism

Posted on October 26, 2023 by theburgwatch

Considering that Councillor Crain Didn’t Correct Errors regarding his motion at the council or committee meeting, I thought Crain was hypocritical at the October 23 council meeting for objecting to Councillor Pouget’s notice of motion for being worded differently than noted in the minutes.

I also thought Crain was hypercritical of Pouget’s motion because his objection was based on his perception that the motion wording undermines the work of staff. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard such staunch cheerleading of staff but he was elected to represent the public interest, including tree canopy issues that are within the duties of council.

On October 10, 2023 Councillor Pouget believed a notice of motion was in order to direct administration to provide the parks committee and environmental committee a complete report regarding the 2017 tree study on town property.

On October 23, 2023, Pouget read the notice of motion and looked for a seconder.

Councillor Crain said something inaudible and Mayor Prue stated he had an objection that it’s not the same; he asked Crain to explain the nature of the objection.

Crain said it’s not the same notice of motion that’s included in the agenda.

Prue asked Pouget to withdraw the first motion and read the second one and see if there’s a seconder; Councillor Allaire seconded.

Crain then stated, just to seek clarification to staff; is it true that we do not have a maintenance policy for the planting of new trees?

Staff answered that the town has a tree bylaw that speaks to tree trimming and maintaining. Crain then stated so the new trees are added into our total tree inventory and then based on this bylaw that we already have are continually maintained already so it’s not that there’s no policy, it’s that new trees are now considered old once they’re planted and then maintained over time.

After staff spoke again, Crain made his position known: I won’t be supporting the motion. I find that the way this motion is worded is implying that our arborist and staff are taking down fair to good condition trees, which in my opinion, I do not believe is happening. I’m not sure where this assumption is coming from and especially with reducing Norway maples. We have this maintenance program already and just the way it’s worded I find that it undermines the work of staff so I won’t be supporting it.

Pouget stated she brought this before to council and that they go and look at these trees; no one apparently has, but when she’s talking about maintenance, they do not water these trees that need watering in the first two years.

Councillor Allaire asked about Windsor’s practice and shared a personal anecdote about growing up on a farm.

Councillor McArthur chimed in and asked if they were removing trees in fairly good condition and why would they be doing that.

More back and forth and more time ~~wasted~~ spent on staff participation and then Allaire stated it seems like our staff is doing a good job and following all the rules that they have implemented over the years. She appreciates the idea of providing the parks and rec committee and the environmental committee with the tree study and she thinks that’s a good portion of Pouget’s notice of motion and if she were willing to take a friendly amendment, she would support that.

As if staff hadn’t taken up enough time, Prue then invited the clerk to speak.

Pouget stated she couldn’t agree to the friendly amendment – she asked that the committees be given all the pertinent information. Pouget also wanted to go on record that she resents Councillor Linden Crain making a statement like he did against her, that he made a face, and made a statement against her that she was trying to undermine the arborist or public works and that was never her intent.

Prue stated her point was well taken and let’s not degenerate here into name calling or argument.

WAIT, WHAT? I didn’t hear any name calling! I’ve written several posts about the lack of decorum and incivility. Prue really needs to step up and act in the first instance, consistently, and not leave it up to individual councillors to defend themselves.

Pouget stated that shouldn’t have happened and Prue should have stopped it from the beginning and she asked Pure to speak on the Bellevue issue regarding what he witnessed.

Listen to the audio.

People With Disabilities Are Not ‘Special’

Posted on October 14, 2023 by theburgwatch

During the October 12 Heritage Committee meeting, Frank DiPasquale made comments about Brittany Bolger that, to me, were offensive.

The heritage committee was discussing the street naming policy when the town’s heritage planner mentioned other municipalities implement an asset naming policy and Councillor Crain was working on a motion wording.

Listen to the audio.

DiPasquale mentioned generally they use those who served in our military and those who gave up their lives and he agrees with that. He mentioned when Mr. Bolger came and wanted to name his subdivision after his daughter, Brittany, and I believe Council followed through with that, the concern was that he had she is an individual with special needs and disabilities, she soldiers on every day with a positive attitude. He didn’t think there’s not anyone in uniform alive or not that would not tip their hat and be honoured to have their street named after this young lady. He suggested there’ll be other examples of that coming in the future where there’s people that may have special needs or special challenges and he thought they should keep that in mind too.

DiPasquale was a 2022 municipal candidate that, like all other candidates, should have received accessibility materials from the town.

Once again, I emailed council members that this clearly indicates the need for more training, although he should have received it by now. I also shared:

COMMON MYTHS ABOUT DISABILITIES:

Pity

People feel sorry for the person with a disability, which tends to lead to patronizing attitudes. Persons with disabilities generally don’t want pity and charity, just equal opportunity to make their own way and live independently.

Hero Worship

People consider someone with a disability who lives independently or pursues studies to be brave or “special” for overcoming a disability. Most persons with disabilities do not want accolades for performing day-to-day tasks.

Worth repeating: the late disability activist Stella Young says it all so well; one of my favourite videos.

Councillor Crain Didn’t Correct Errors

Posted on October 13, 2023 by theburgwatch

On October 3, I emailed council members: the august 10 heritage committee meeting minutes are listed on the october 12 heritage committee meeting agenda for approval, although council approved the august 10 heritage committee minutes at the september 25 council meeting. councillor crain mentioned he was on the heritage committee and he did move a motion at the august 10 committee meeting, but the minutes do not reflect that his motion carried. i believe councillor pouget is correct in stating that public minutes should be corrected at public meetings, as per rules of order, so i trust this will be given consistent attention.

Wrong.

At the October 10 council meeting, Councillor Pouget was the only one to note the motion wasn’t marked as being carried.

The clerk said yes, there was a typo. That was more than a typo – it was an omission. Meeting chairs ask if there are any errors or omissions, not if there are any typos.

Even though Pouget noted the error, the same erroneous August 10 Heritage Committee minutes were on the October 12 Heritage Committee agenda.

While Councillor Crain was present at the October 12 Heritage Committee meeting, he didn’t mention the error of the missing ‘motion carried’ or his misquoted motion.

These are typos: the October 12 Heritage Committee agenda states:

8. CORRESPONDENCE

That the following correspondence BE RECEIVED:
That the following correspondence BE RECEIVED:

and

8.2 River Town Tiles Article – River Canard Bridge Plaque

Councillor Crain – Street Naming Policy Review

Posted on October 8, 2023 by theburgwatch

AUGUST 10 HERITAGE COMMITTEE MEETING: Crain is on the heritage committee and was present for the agenda that included three documents for item 8.2 Brittany’s Gate – Street Naming Request:

Crain took part in the August 10 committee discussion about the street naming policy and also moved a recommendation to council that the heritage committee reviews the updated street name and street naming policy and inventory list once completed by administration before the final amendments are adopted at a regular council meeting.

Heritage committee chair Simon Chamely thought it would be brought back for the September 21 meeting, although that meeting was in-camera to deal with expressions of interest.

When Shirley Curson-Prue asked if it would be an October issue, clerk answered that it would depend on how far along the policy is in its review; most likely it would be more like October than the next meeting.

Chamely asked if they were able to do that; is that not writing policy?

Crain answered and referenced the recommendation; it’s not that they write the policy its that they review and if there are certain aspects of the policy that they don’t believe should be there, then they can provide a recommendation to council saying, hey, maybe we should be taking out this line because it creates this restriction. So not that they’re writing anything at all; that’s what the clerk’s office and Adam will be working on. It’s more of just review, similar to any policy that’s reviewed by council. You’re providing an outside perspective on where amendments could be made.

The motion was read aloud again: recommendation to council that the heritage committee reviews the updated street name and street naming policy and inventory list once completed by administration, before the final amendments are adopted at a regular council meeting.

August 10 minutes state the motion: That the Heritage Committee REVIEW the updated Street Naming Policy and inventory before final adoption by Council which, as mentioned in this post, More Erroneous Minutes, did not indicate that the motion carried.

SEPTEMBER 25 COUNCIL MEETING: Crain was present where the agenda included three documents for item 13.2: Street Naming – Brittany Crescent and Stone Street:

During the September 25 discussion of Brittany’s Gate, Crain asked staff if the current street naming policy that they have in place, he couldn’t recall, looking for clarification, is that policy out of date and currently being reviewed.

By this time, Crain would have heard the word ‘review‘ six times, including using it in his August 10 motion and he would have read it once in the August 10 minutes on the September 25 council agenda.

The clerk answered: there is a review ongoing for the policy. It’s not currently out of conformance with existing policies. but there has been some discussion around ways to streamline some of the processes involved.

Deputy CAO Osbourne jumped in to add that there will be a report coming forward to council she believed October 10 or the second meeting in October.

And the item is on the October 10 agenda after all. Crain’s August 10 motion for the heritage committee review the updated policy and list before adoption by council seems redundant since the committee meets October 12 to once again discuss the same issue.

The October 10 council meeting agenda includes:
Agenda item 14.2 Municipal Street Naming Policy Update 2023

The October 12 Heritage Committee meeting agenda also includes:
Agenda item 7.2 Municipal Street Naming Policy Update

Attitude Check – Hero Worshipping

Posted on October 6, 2023 by theburgwatch

Excessively praising a person with a disability can be insulting because it implies that you have low expectations of them. For example, calling someone a “hero” or an “inspiration,” though it may seem complimentary, can sound condescending to a person who is simply trying to live their life just like anybody else.
HIE HELP CENTRE

As a person with disabilities, I regularly encounter physical barriers that provincial legislation mandates to be identified, prevented and removed. But attitudinal barriers offend me the most and there is a list; for example, people make generalized assumptions, behave awkwardly out of ignorance, or adopt an outdated model of disability like pity/charity which leads to patronizing.

During the September 25 council meeting, Councillor Crain spoke briefly and thought it was only right that they help the Bolger family recognize their daughter, Brittany, whereas Councillor McArthur, council’s representative on the accessibility advisory committee, spoke longer and repeated his message throughout that Bolger made a clear, convincing and compelling case.

McArthur weighed in that he was supportive of the motion, acknowledged the town has a policy and stated the developer wasn’t asking for a favour or trying to pull a fast one. He stated Mr. Bolger made a clear, convincing and compelling case to name this after his daughter, who has a remarkable story, and has overcome adversity and serves as a testament to that we are all able that we all have special abilities and that no matter what hand we’re dealt, we can make compelling contributions to our community and she can serve as a role model for youth going into the future. McArthur said he wasn’t going to read Bolger’s letter aloud but he has made a clear and compelling case that the street name will serve a greater good and allow his daughter Brittany to be remembered forever and to serve as a role model for Amherstburg youth and he was happy to support that.

Since I embrace any opportunity to challenge attitudes, I emailed members of council.

the burg watch: As a person with disabilities, and an activist, I encourage you to learn beyond what appears to be very basic training materials you received when elected regarding accessibility and inclusion.

As you may recall, I pointed out examples of ableism during the election campaign and have since mentioned examples of inappropriate language. As a result of the Brittany’s Gate discussion, I am enclosing a portion of a UN document:

‘Inclusive language is a key tool in combating ableism and its entrenched manifestations. Ableism is a misguided and biased understanding of disability that leads to the assumption that the lives of persons with disabilities are not worth living. Ableism can take many forms, including harmful language.

AVOID LABELS AND STEREOTYPES

Disability is a part of life and of human diversity, not something to be dramatized or sensationalized. Persons with disabilities should therefore not be portrayed as inspirational or “superhuman”. This language implies that it is unusual for persons with disabilities to be successful and productive and to live happy and fulfilling lives. Descriptions of persons with disabilities as “courageous” or “brave” or as having “overcome” their disability are patronizing and should be avoided. Persons with disabilities are the same as everyone else in terms of talents and abilities.’

Councillor Pouget, as usual, was the only one to respond and thanked me for sharing.

The late disability activist Stella Young says it all so well.

Tell Councillor Crain There Are Barriers At Open Air

Posted on March 6, 2023 by theburgwatch

Email Councillor Crain at lcrain@amherstburg.ca to remind him that as a candidate he answered yes to the question about removing barriers:

Question: Will you remove barriers during Open Air weekends that block people with disabilities from driving to the bank, local stores, bars, and generally driving through town?

Councillor Crain’s answer: Yes. It is important that all members of the community can experience Open Air. If there are particular barriers in place, I am more than willing to investigate further and help find a solution.

the burg watch

Amherstburg's first local blogger since 2011

Tag Archives: Linden Crain