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. |