April 25, 2015 – Peterborough, Ontario – Employment and Social Development Canada
The Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development, announced investments today in several projects to improve access for Canadians with disabilities in Peterborough and nearby communities.
Minister Poilievre made this announcement at Trent University, which received the investment for its Making Collaborative Learning Spaces Accessible for All! project. The aim of the initiative is to install wheelchair and standing-height accessible multifunctional workstations at the Peterborough and Durham campus libraries. The new equipment will improve the quality of the educational and work experiences of individuals using the University’s campuses.
Nine other projects in Peterborough and nearby Ontario townships received Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) funding to improve accessibility for Canadians with disabilities. The investments will be used to construct ramps, install or retrofit elevators and entranceways and purchase assistive listening devices. The funding, which totals $296,737, is provided through the EAF.
Minister Poilievre also highlighted the Harper Government’s Family Tax Cuts and Benefits Plan, which puts money back in the pockets of hard-working Canadian families. The proposed enhancements to the Universal Child Care Benefit would provide almost $2,000 per year for every child under the age of 6 and $720 for every child aged 6 through 17. The new benefit amounts would be retroactive to January 1, 2015, and reflected in monthly payments to recipients in July 2015.
“Our Government is committed to ensuring individuals of all abilities have equal access to public buildings— whether they be places of learning or workplaces—so that all Canadians can participate in and contribute to our communities.”
– The Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development
“Trent University prides itself on leadership in accessibility. We strive not just to meet, but to exceed accessibility standards. This new grant from the Enabling Accessibility Fund will allow us to further break down any barriers that may prevent the full inclusion of all of our community members. This grant will allow Trent to increase the accessibility and utility of our campus spaces and offer students with disabilities the opportunity to work more collaboratively with peers, faculty and staff.”
– Julia Anderson, Director, Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Accessibility, Trent University
Aaron Bell
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Employment and Social Development
819-994-2482
aaron.bell@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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The Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) was originally announced in 2007 as a three-year, $45-million program to support community-based projects across Canada. Economic Action Plan 2013 extended the EAF on an ongoing basis at $15 million per year to continue to help improve community and workplace accessibility for Canadians with disabilities.
Since the first call for proposals in 2008, over 1,800 projects have been awarded funding to improve accessibility in Canadian communities and workplaces.
The community accessibility stream of the Enabling Accessibility Fund provides funding to eligible recipients for capital cost projects that improve accessibility. To be considered eligible for funding, projects must be directly related to removing barriers and increasing accessibility for people with disabilities in Canadian communities. All projects must also respond to funding priorities identified during the present call for proposals, including support from their community.
For further information on how to submit proposals under the current call for community-based projects, please visit www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/disability/eaf/.
The ten projects in Peterborough and nearby townships are detailed in the chart below.
