Victoria City Council has voted unanimously to push the province for legislation that will help people with disabilities. Other provinces have moved forward with such legislation, while BC has not. The motion, brought forward by Councillor Jeremy Loveday, calls for a strong and effective BC Disabilities Act.
The motion reads that despite progress, British Columbians with disabilities encounter a variety of physical, sensory and technological barriers, as well as those related to communication, education and employment.
Chris Marks is a Victoria man who became a quadriplegic 12 years ago. He says he struggles with many of the things you and I take for granted, like accessing shops and businesses in Victoria.
"This legislation that we are hoping to get passed, I hope there is some money for small businesses. I'm not trying to turn the onus on them, but there's been nothing in BC. The only mechanism we've had to raise issues is the Human Rights Tribunal by raising a human rights complaint, but not everyone wants to do that. So, we are hoping for an overarching legislation that sets some guidelines for everybody."
Councillor Loveday's motion suggests the election of a new BC government presents an opportunity for the Province to act to bring in new legislation that would make BC "barrier free."