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BFM's Update on the Tabling Announcement

Apr 19, 2013

Following is the full text of the update that we sent out earlier today.


It is with tremendous pleasure that we are able to advise you that Minister Jennifer Howard plans to table the long awaited bill on accessibility rights for First Reading in the Manitoba Legislature at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, April 24.

The tabling of the bill kicks off a historic legislative process that will unfold over the next two months. If all goes well, this process will end by the end of June 2013 with the passage and proclamation of landmark legislation that requires the timely and comprehensive prevention and removal of barriers to equitable accessibility.

This will be a giant leap forward toward Manitoba becoming an international leader in promoting and protecting the human rights of persons with disabilities!

An Invitation to Attend the Tabling and a Pre-Tabling Reception

Minister Howard will be hosting a pre-tabling reception at her office (Room 357) at the legislature from noon to 1 pm to mark the start of this historic process. Those attending the reception will then have the opportunity to be witnesses to the tabling of the bill that will follow at 1:30 pm.

Please note that the actual tabling only takes a few minutes and no debate on the bill will follow in the Legislature. While it is a procedural step, it is the historic first step.

The Minister has graciously invited Barrier-Free Manitoba to extend an invitation to attend both the reception and the tabling to the many who have worked so hard to secure this legislation.

     Reception
         Noon to 1 pm
         April 24, 2013
         Room 357
         Legislative Building

     Tabling
         1:30 pm
         April 24, 2013
         Legislative Assembly

Due to space limitations, those who want to attend the reception and tabling are asked to RSVP to the Province's Disability Issues Office (contact Tracy MacMillan at: phone 204 945-7613 / email: Tracy.MacMillan@gov.mb.ca) by 12 noon on Monday, April 22.

The Steps That Follow

There will be three other important steps in the legislative process before the bill becomes law. We will be inviting you to attend each of these.

Second Reading: During this stage, the bill will be debated and either accepted or rejected. This a very important stage since adoption of a second reading motion means the Legislative Assembly approves the principle of the bill.

Standing Committee Hearing: Members of the public will be invited to present oral and written submissions concerning the proposed bill. The Committee then proceeds to a clause-by-clause consideration of the bill. At this time, amendments may be proposed and considered.

Report Stage / Third Reading: The bill and amendments will be debated for the final time followed by a final vote. At this stage, debates are usually brief since Third Reading most often occurs in the final days of the legislative session.
We will provide updates when these steps are scheduled.

The Final ‘Party’ Step

We will be hosting a major event to celebrate the passage and proclamation of strong and effective provincial accessibility-rights legislation. We’ve all worked so hard to get this legislation. This will be a very special occasion, likely to be held at the end of June or very early July.

We are ever so pleased to share news of this important breakthrough with you. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday if you are able to attend the reception and tabling of the bill at the Legislative Building.

April 24th will be one of those "I was there!" moments in the advancement of disability and human rights in Manitoba.

Regards,

Patrick Falconer
Consultant to the Barrier-Free Manitoba Steering Committee

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