NLIS 5
December 2, 2004
(Executive Council)

 


The following statement was issued today by Loyola Sullivan, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

U.N. International Day of Disabled Persons 

I rise today to inform honourable colleagues that tomorrow, December 3rd, is the United Nations International Day of Disabled Persons. Started in 1982, the purpose of this day is to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. 

The theme for this year is "Nothing About Us Without Us". We must focus on the need for persons with disabilities to be actively involved in the planning and implementation of strategies which affect their lives. This theme also reflects on the importance of persons with disabilities participating as full citizens, living as independently as possible, within our communities. In our province, groups and organizations such as the Independent Living Resource Centre, provide many worthwhile supports and programs to persons with disabilities and government is proud to assist in funding the important work they do. Representatives from the centre are here in the gallery this afternoon. 

Within the provincial government, we are committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities have equitable access to employment opportunities within the public service. Treasury Board Secretariat is responsible for the government-wide Opening Doors Program. This is an employment equity initiative created to build a representative public service. Since its inception, the program has provided several hundred people with disabilities the opportunity to build successful careers in the provincial public service. These careers cover a wide range of occupational areas including social work, information technology, education, communications, human resources, and environment. 

In addition to its role with the provincial government, Opening Doors works closely with the federal government. The program acts as a single hiring agency for both levels of government for persons with disabilities. This arrangement is unique in Canada and makes it easier for individuals with disabilities in Newfoundland and Labrador to seek and secure employment in either level of government. 

The Opening Doors Program is under the leadership of Mr. Jim McDonald. I want to inform honourable members that Jim was a recent recipient of a Public Service Award of Excellence. He has worked with the provincial government for over 25 years, and the award is a testament to his unwavering commitment and dedication to ensuring persons with disabilities have a strong advocate within government and that the program evolves to continually meets their needs. I want to acknowledge Jim joining us in the gallery today. 

To help mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, honourable members will receive a copy of the latest edition of the Opening Doors to Success magazine. The purpose of this publication is to showcase public service employees with disabilities who began their careers in the public service through the Opening Doors Program. Along with celebrating the varied careers and the many successes of this unique public sector employment equity program, the publication also serves as an educational tool for departmental managers, and persons with disabilities alike, and promotes the employment of persons with disabilities in the provincial public service. I encourage all honourable members to review Opening Doors to Success, and read first-hand the achievements individuals with disabilities are making within the provincial government. 

2004 12 02                               2:00 p.m.


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