A representative from northwestern Ontario is introducing a Bill of Rights for people living in homes managed by government-funded organizations.
Lise Vaugeois, the MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North, says this bill would ensure they cannot be removed without justification or prior notice.
The proposed legislation would grant residents the ability to have family and support individuals visit them at home, safeguard them against unjust evictions, allow access to complaint and review processes, and enable requests for personal care accommodations whenever possible.
“And it’s very important because it is demanding that the government demand that the institutions it funds respect the rights of the people who live in those institutions,” says Vaugeois.
“These are our group homes for people with disabilities, and that they respect the need of people living there to have connections with their family members without any restrictions.”
This initiative comes after an incident where a person requiring around-the-clock care was taken out of a group home without any warning.
He was able to return after fighting through the courts for four years.
Maria Sardelis, who founded Access to Seniors and Disabled, supports this proposed legislation.
She believes current laws aren’t offering sufficient protection.
“In Ontario, good laws that are protecting our disabled persons are either haphazardly enforced or not enforced at all, resulting in vulnerable persons being victims of abuse,” says Sardelis.
Vaugeois has talked with Michael Parsa, the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services about her bill. She hopes the government will back it when it’s discussed further in the Legislature.
Randy Thoms is a veteran news broadcaster with over 40 years’ experience. He is based in Fort Frances and covers stories across northwestern Ontario. Contact Randy at thoms. randy@radioabl. ca.
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