News Releases
Government Home Search Sitemap Contact Us  

Human Resources, Labour and Employment
April 30, 2009

The following statement was issued by the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Disability Policy Office Open for Business

As Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, I rise today to inform this Honourable House that the Disability Policy Office is now open for business. I am pleased that Mary Reid has accepted the position of Director of this newly established office. Mary is well known and respected in the disability community. She has worked with communities and governments for over 25 years leading integrated inclusion initiatives. Mary has previously held the role of executive director of the Independent Living Resource Centre in St. John�s and has been a board member with the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, Coalition of Persons with Disabilities, Human Rights Association NL and the Roeher Institute. Mary recently returned to Newfoundland and Labrador to accept the position of Director of the Disability Policy Office following four years of similar work in another province.

The Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment is excited to see the establishment of the Disability Policy Office and to take a lead role in developing and implementing a government-wide strategy for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities. In keeping with the Provincial Government�s commitment for citizen engagement, we will undertake an extensive community consultation where we will seek direction on how we can best achieve inclusion for all citizens regardless of disability.

In addition, to ensure that we work in collaboration and address barriers across all departments and agencies of government, we will establish a number of committees. This will include a committee of Ministers, a Deputies Committee and an Interdepartmental Working Group.

Finally, in the near future, a call will go forward for expressions of interest to participate on a new Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities. This Advisory Council will be instrumental in accessing guidance from the experts: that is from people who have disabilities themselves.

The Disability Policy Office will be a focal point for all of government, providing policy leadership to achieve full inclusion. The Office will also work to strengthen partnerships with community agencies, business and the public sector.

This is a very exciting and challenging new initiative for my department. I look forward to working with persons with disabilities and their advocates towards making Newfoundland and Labrador an inclusive and accessible province.

2009 04 30                            1:40 p.m.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement