HON. CARL DeFARIA
Embrace change … make it work                                          CONTACT CARL
CARL SPEAKS TO ONTARIANS LESS ABLE

| HOME | NEXT |

Mark-Alan:

Thank you for your letter congratulating me on my recent appointment as Minister of Citizenship. I appreciate the fact you took the time to provide me with past correspondence with my predecessor, the Honourable Cam Jackson.
It was good to read of your work with the Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities in Hamilton, and of your various fundraising events in support of our less abled citizens. It is this kind of selfless commitment of time, passion and energy that makes Ontario a better place to live, work and raise a family. Your efforts to improve the world in which you live have made a real difference to local organizations.
I am aware that you offered your name as a candidate for the Accessibility Advisory Council of Ontario, an important new initiative in helping persons with disabilities achieve full citizenship. Careful consideration is being given to all nominations received to the council.
On May 1, I announced the appointment of the first five members of the council, including its first chair, Dave Shannon, a Thunder Bay lawyer and disability rights activist. Brampton Olympian and Paralympian Jeff Adams is vice-chair. Three other members appointed are: Dean La Bute, Barry McMahon and Duncan Read.
I am working on further appointments, which will be announced shortly. I have received nominations for the council from organizations and individuals from across the province, and I am greatly impressed by the qualifications and dedication of the nominees.
This council will demonstrate that people with disabilities are at the forefront of change. I appreciate your continuing interest in the Accessibility Advisory Council, and I wish you, your wife Laurie and your son Logan the best for the future.