Barrier Free Manitoba

Time flies. The landmark AMA came into force four years ago today on Dececember 5, 2013. With all party, all member unanimous support, the new law commits the province to having achieved significant progress toward full accessibility by 2023.

Over these four years, BFM has worked determinedly, some might say doggedly, to promote the full and timely implementation of the AMA. It’s taken far more work than we had ever expected and, while there has been important progress, it has been slow and partial.

Fortunately, the Act requires that an independent, comprehensive review of the law and its implementation four years after it came into force (and every five years thereafter). This review will provide us all with the chance to applaud what has gone well, identify what has fallen short and call for the changes required to achieve the goal of the AMA (achieving significant progress toward full accessibility by 2023).

We’ve included the relevant clauses in the Act at the bottom of theis page.

BFM has asked for the Terms of Reference for the review, the name of the person who is been appointed to conduct the review and the overall plan and schedule for the review. We will post this information as soon as this is provided to us.

We will also soon be announcing a series of consultation and engagement activities that we will be organizing to support community input into the review.

Watch for details!

Provisions in the Act.

Review of this Act
39(1) Within four years after this Act comes into force, the minister must appoint a person who is to undertake a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of this Act and report on his or her findings to the minister.

LG in C approval required
39(2) The person to be appointed by the minister must be approved by the Lieutenant Governor in Council before the appointment becomes effective.

Consultation
39(3) A person undertaking a review under this section must consult with the public and, in particular, with persons disabled by barriers or representatives from organizations of persons disabled by barriers.

Contents of report
39(4) Without limiting the review under subsection (1), a report may include recommendations for improving the effectiveness of this Act

Tabling report in Assembly
39(5) The minister must table a copy of the report in the Assembly within 15 days after receiving it if the Assembly is sitting or, if it is not, within 15 days after the next sitting begins.