Barrier Free Manitoba

As with changes of government, a cabinet shuffle can often be disruptive and slow or even reverse headway that had been made on public policy reform. So we are pleased that the cabinet Minister Responsible for Persons with Disabilities did not change with the major cabinet shuffle announced yesterday (Friday, January 13th). 

An excerpt from the Order in Council, soon to be posted on the Province of Manitoba web site, reads:

"The Honourable Jennifer Juliette Howard, a Member of the Executive Council, is appointed under the Great Seal of the Province of Manitoba to hold office during pleasure as Minister of Family Services and Labour, and she continues to hold office during pleasure as Minister responsible for Persons with Disabilities, as Minister responsible for the Status of Women and as Minister responsible for the administration of The Workers Compensation Act".

The major change for Minister Howard is that she has gained responsibility for the always challenging Family Services portfolio while relinquishing responsibility for the Immigration portfolio. 

Barrier-Free Manitoba is looking forward to continued and committed leadership from Minister Howard in the development and tabling of strong and effective accessibility-rights legislation. This legislation will fulfill the promise made by Premier Selinger, when he ran for the NDP leadership, to introduce Ontario-style accessibility-rights reforms. This legislation will also go a long way to meeting the government's commitment made in Opening Doors (2009) to make Manitoba a true "leader in the promotion and protection of the human rights of persons with disabilities."