Nearly one in seven Ontarians live with some form of physical disability. Ontario March of Dimes works to raise awareness and advance their interests through parliamentary submissions and government relations.

These publications describe our stance on the current issues facing the disability community and its care providers. 

• March of Dimes commends, but also points out shortcomings, of AODA process at Public Review conducted by Independent Reviewer, Charles Beer

  Government Relations represents March of Dimes, making constructive suggestions about the AODA to date.  This document is available for download in PDF or Word formats.

• Tax incentives recommended for improving accessibility in Canada

  Government Relations submits paper to Federal Finance Committee. This document is available for download in PDF or Word formats.

• March of Dimes responds to Manitoba’s “Opening Doors”

  Read what March of Dimes offers in the way of feedback, comments and recommendations on the Discussion Paper entitled “Opening Doors: Manitoba’s Commitment to Persons with Disabilities” issued by the Manitoba Disabilities Issues Office 2009. Dowload available in PDF or Word format.

• Ontario Government announces public review of the proposed Built Environment Standard of the AODA.

  Anyone can comment.  Click here to access the relevant documents and to learn how to provide your feedback.

• View the March of Dimes Presentation to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development, and the Status of Persons with Disabilities
  Study: Federal Contribution to Reducing Poverty in Canada
  This document is available in PDF and Word formats.
  

  Honourable Tony Martin, MP for Sault Ste. Marie and Member of the Standing Committee, consulting with March of Dimes representatives Steven Christianson and Janet Macmaster.

   
  
  
• Read the official Hansard version arising from the March of Dimes’ presentation to the Ontario government’s Standing Committee on Social Policy who were seeking public feedback for Bill 152, Poverty Reduction Act, 2009.( 316 KB file)
  Go to page SP-650 to see what we had to say.
  
  
• View Ontario March of Dimes 2009 Pre-Budget Submission to the Ontario Minister of Finance and Revenue, the Hon. Dwight Duncan
  ( 145 KB file)
  November 2008:
  Achieving the Do-Able in Uncertain Economic Times, delivered at Queen's Park by Jerry Lucas, November 21, 2008.
  
  
• For further reference, see the 2008 Ontario Community Support Association Report ( 1,155 KB file)
  Unleashing Attendant Services: Enhancing People’s Potential, Reducing Wait Times in Acute and Long-Term Health Care.
  
  
• Stakeholder Analysis of the Speech from the Throne ( 38 KB file). On October 16, 2007 the Governor General read the Speech from the Throne outlining the governing plan of the Harper administration.  There are three particular areas of concern to Ontario March of Dimes and March of Dimes Canada that were given varying degrees of focus.
  
  
• OMOD and AODA update September 2007 ( 80 KB file). The first proposed Standard, Customer Service, has been accepted, and is now law - an Ontario regulation within the Act, which will come into effect January 2008.
  
  
• Proposed photo card initiative August 14th, 2007 (107 KB file ). Identification for individuals who do not posses a driver’s license.
  
  
• Ontario 2007 Budget, A Little Bit For Everyone. This is the fourth and final budget of the government of Premier Dalton McGuinty before the general election in October of this year.
  
  
• View Ontario March of Dimes Pre-Budget Submission to the Ontario Minister of Finance January, 2007 (54 KB file )
  Includes recommendations for Home & Vehicle Modification^® Program, Services to Adults who are not Competitively Employable and Promoting Accessibility.
  
  
• Presentation to Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (49 KB file )
  October, 2006
  CEO Andria Spindel presents options for Members of the Committee on how to improve service delivery in the realm of disability.
  
  
• The Voluntary Sector Forum's Brief to the Standing Committee on Finance
  September, 2005
  Ontario March of Dimes was an active participant in formulating the recommendations in this report that advocate better and more effective ways for charities to contribute to public policy development.
  
  
• Submission to the Post Secondary Review (200 KB file )
  January, 2005
  Ontario March of Dimes rates Ontario's post secondary institutions according to the ODA's Accessibility Plan, and makes recommendations to the review board on the five main areas of consideration.
  
  
• A Deputation on Tsunami Disaster in South East Asia to the City of Toronto (187 KB file )
  January, 2005
  Ontario March of Dimes recently urged the City of Toronto to consider how Torontonians can make a unique, practical and meaningful contribution to the tsunami relief effort.
  
  
• The CCAC Procurement Review (106 KB file )
  November, 2004
  Issues for consideration and recommendations from Ontario March of Dimes to the CCAC Procurement Review Project.
  
  
• A New ODA: Introduction and FAQs
  October, 2004
  A Government Relations update on Bill 118 from Ontario March of Dimes.
  
  
• Local Health Integration Networks and Service to People with Physical Disabilities (39 KB file )
  October, 2004
  Ontario March of Dimes’ submission to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care concerning our shared goals, and suggestions to most effectively serve the needs of Ontarians with physical disabilities.
  
  
• An Excellent First Step
  October, 2004
  An OMOD assessment of the report of the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Active Living and Dignity for Seniors.
  
  
• A Deputation to the Economic Development and Parks Committee, Toronto City Hall
  October, 2004
  Our deputation to the City of Toronto outlines how including accessibility considerations in the city's planning, design and development is good for everyone.
  
  
• The Importance of an Ongoing Return-to-Work Strategy: A Solutions Brief (230 KB file )
  April, 2003
  A report to the Sub-Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, including a total of 16 recommendations regarding the Return-to-Work strategies of the Canada Pension Plan Disability Program.

Contact Us
If you have any questions about the content or significance of any of the topics on this page, please contact:

Steven Christianson
Manager, Government Relations and Advocacy
Tel: 416-425-3463, ext. 7326
Fax: 416-425-1920
advocacy@marchofdimes.ca 

AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) Customer Service Policy Feedback
Please send a message to aodafeedback@marchofdimes.ca to submit your comments, concerns, questions or suggestions about our Accessible Customer Service Policy.