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Accessibility Wins (and We Meet the Prime Minister)

This past Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the federal government is giving Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) $1.34 billion for repairs. And! 20 percent of that is earmarked to improve accessibility.

And I got to meet him. But more on that later.

The National Housing Strategy and accessibility

You have read about the accessible housing crisis on my website before, but unfortunately, not in a lot of other places outside those of us who need it. Because most people have not yet realized that with our aging population, twenty-two percent of Canadians have disabilities as of 2017. And they need places to live. Not just because it’s actually more humane, cheaper, and altogether joyful for people to age in place, because it promotes independence and dignity, but also we don’t have the resources to shuttle everyone off into a long-term care facility.

But now, for the first time ever, our federal government has stepped up to the plate and quite literally put their money where their mouth is. The Liberal government’s National Housing Strategy is dedicating $40 billion over the next 10 years to help more people in Canada to find a home in housing that is inclusive and accessible. They are doing this through funding for building and renovating affordable and subsidized housing.

 

Accessibility in TCHC

For the past six years, the R-PATH Committee — Responsible Personal Accessibility in Toronto Housing — has worked in collaboration with TCHC senior management to improve accessibility. The Committee was founded by Cathy Birch, our Chair, without whom we wouldn’t be where we are today. I am also one of the founding members.

Before R-PATH, TCHC had dedicated $1.5 million a year to improving accessibility, usually completing one unit modification and 3-5 automatic door openers in common spaces for accessibility every year. Through the dedicated work of the accessibility team — R-PATH and staff — the 2019 budget is $17.4 million! Last year, more than 100 unit modifications were completed, as well as numerous community spaces.

We are all very proud of the work we do. And R-PATH is very proud to have supported TCHC in their application for federal funding that will make a tremendous difference for tenants of buildings in desperate need of repairs.

The PM visits TCHC

Because of the work R-PATH has done, we were invited to the event last Friday. There, the announcement of federal funding was made, as well as the announcement that the City of Toronto is also contributing $313 million to the cause.

That’s a lot of zeroes!

Before the official announcement, the PM visited with the community in a TCHC building in Scarborough. He toured the building with TCHC management and sat down for a brief talk with R-PATH.

I don’t often get too politically partisan in this space, but I will now. I’ve always thought that Justin Trudeau was a breath of fresh air and that his optimism and positivity — and dedication to a gender-balanced cabinet, among many other initiatives — showed a man who understood his country. Some people agree with me, others don’t, but I think you’d be hard-pressed to not get behind his government’s commitment to creating homes for those of us who are not millionaires.

Now that I’ve met him, I like him even more. He is a very nice person, who took his time speaking, not just to R-PATH, but also to other tenants, as well as stopping for photos with a number of people including a woman who’ll turn 100 years old in May.

Now we just need to get the Province of Ontario to do their share. A contribution to TCHC’s capital repair budget would be very welcome. And all the people of this province are in desperate need of an update to the Ontario Building Code. We need build standards that lead to meaningful accessibility, by better reflecting what is needed for people with disabilities and currently used mobility devices.

 

 

36 Comments

  1. Rick Phillips on April 8, 2019 at 9:52 pm

    will he let me be a citizen if I ask really nice and if I know you?

    I so need to live in a place with people who have some sense.



    • Lene Andersen on April 10, 2019 at 2:46 pm

      We’d love to have you! (and I speak here on behalf of the PM and all of Canada)



  2. Nero on April 9, 2019 at 3:57 pm

    Sounds like the government is trying to take some steps towards progress.



    • Lene Andersen on April 10, 2019 at 2:52 pm

      They sure are and much-needed.



  3. Scott J DeNicola on April 9, 2019 at 4:27 pm

    How great is it to meet the Prime Minister! It’s hard to believe that these laws and regulations have not been on the books already. Great read and Trudeau sounds like a genuine person.



    • Lene Andersen on April 10, 2019 at 2:53 pm

      I know, right? It doesn’t matter if the rest of society is accessible, if you can’t find a place to live!



  4. Subhashish Roy on April 9, 2019 at 9:50 pm

    Many of my friends have settled in Canada & they all love it for the wonderful life they are able to enjoy. Thanks for sharing something new about the place.



    • Lene Andersen on April 10, 2019 at 2:53 pm

      It really is a wonderful country to live in.



  5. Ashley | One Journey Away on April 10, 2019 at 10:12 am

    I’m Canadian but left about 3.5 years ago for Scotland – will always be a proud Canadian and how cool it must’ve been to meet the Prime Minister!



    • Lene Andersen on April 10, 2019 at 2:54 pm

      I went the other way – from Denmark to Canada in the early 1980s. How do you like Scotland?



  6. Snehal on April 10, 2019 at 10:12 am

    Meeting the prime minister?! How great and lucky for you! Well good that they are thinking on certain important issues.



    • Lene Andersen on April 10, 2019 at 2:54 pm

      It sure is. And it was a super exciting day.



  7. jerry godinho on April 10, 2019 at 10:21 am

    congrats on meeting justin trudeau and glad the government is investing in benefits and for the good of the people



    • Lene Andersen on April 10, 2019 at 2:55 pm

      it’s been a long time coming…



  8. Helen on April 10, 2019 at 11:05 am

    Well done with all your hard work! Congrats on meeting the PM too!



    • Lene Andersen on April 10, 2019 at 2:55 pm

      Thanks so much! The R=PATH Committee is one of my favourite volunteer groups ever.



  9. Kippi on April 10, 2019 at 12:34 pm

    It is high-time that everyone knows about the aging population before they too are elderly and need special consideration. Independent living is the best thing for a community so why has it taken this long? Fantastic to have met the Prime Minister.



    • Lene Andersen on April 10, 2019 at 2:56 pm

      Exactly! We all get old, so why have we been pretending we won’t for so long?



  10. Joyce Osiango on April 10, 2019 at 2:47 pm

    Congrats you go to meet the prime minister. seems like the government is trying to work something out.



    • Lene Andersen on April 10, 2019 at 2:56 pm

      Certainly does. Thanks for your comment!



  11. The Sunny Side Lifestyle Co. on April 10, 2019 at 4:19 pm

    Congratulations on the steps forward for accessible housing! What an empowering feeling to be part of a group that is making serious positive change. Meeting the Prime Minister is wonderful too.



    • Lene Andersen on April 10, 2019 at 10:39 pm

      It sure was, but yes… being part of this group is a constant joy.



  12. Despite Pain on April 11, 2019 at 6:12 am

    Accessible housing is a big issue in a lot of areas, so hopefully this funding will be a step towards solving it in your area. Lucky you meeting Justin Trudeau!! He always comes across as very genuine.



    • Lene Andersen on April 11, 2019 at 10:28 am

      It boggles my mind how obtuse our society is about the need for accessibility. I mean, other than the 20%+ of the population that currently has a disability, it’s going to rise significantly over the next 15 years as the babyboomers age.



  13. Live Learn Better on April 11, 2019 at 10:38 am

    What a great accomplishment! I’m so happy that at long last, the people that should be listening and doing something are now up to the task



    • Lene Andersen on April 12, 2019 at 10:41 am

      It really is encouraging!



  14. Ayanda on April 11, 2019 at 11:58 am

    Meeting the Prime Minister?! That’s an awesome one. So glad that they are putting action into ensuring accessibility for the elderly. Not being able to comfortably access your own home should not be a challenge. Great move by the government.



    • Lene Andersen on April 12, 2019 at 10:42 am

      It was very encouraging to see this move, finally. About we are in part ensuring that people can age place, this is also very welcome news for younger people who live with disabilities.



  15. Rachael on April 11, 2019 at 4:12 pm

    I usually cringe when I here the word “billion” and “spend” together but not this time!!!



    • Lene Andersen on April 12, 2019 at 10:43 am

      LOL! I know, me too. And the exact same reaction. 🙂



  16. Nina N on April 11, 2019 at 9:06 pm

    How awesome to meet the prime minister! Among all the world leaders, he is the one that I admire the most. He speaks fluently, behaves like a true statesman, and such a gentleman.



    • Lene Andersen on April 12, 2019 at 10:46 am

      Completely agree — he seems to really understand that thing about acting in such a way that your country can be proud of you.



  17. Tracy @ Cleland Clan on April 11, 2019 at 10:00 pm

    Accessibility is definitely a need. Congratulations on this win! And meeting Justin Trudeau? I’m so jealous!



    • Lene Andersen on April 12, 2019 at 10:46 am

      It was really exciting. I may or may not have decided to never again wash the hand he shook. 🙂



  18. Swagata on April 12, 2019 at 2:37 am

    Canadians are so lucky to have such a progressive and dynamic leader. It must have been a very cool to meet the Prime minister.



    • Lene Andersen on April 12, 2019 at 10:47 am

      It was a very exciting moment. At the moment, very weird things are happening politically on usual level in Ontario, but it’s a big relief to be able to look towards Ottawa and draw a sigh of relief.