[homeles_ot-l] Fwd: Mayor O`Brien Confirms Para Transpo Lay Offs! Peaceful Demonstration Planned for Wednesday, June 18th

[Terrie]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Catherine Gardner <catherinegardner at magma.ca>
Date: Mon, Jun 16, 2008 at 1:20 AM


 *For Immediate Release*
**
*Mayor O`Brien Confirms Para Transpo Lay Offs!  *
*Peaceful Demonstrate Planned for Wednesday, June 18th!*

Community Advocate, Catherine Gardner states that on Sunday, June 15th,
Mayor O`Brien confirmed that Para Transpo was planning lay offs. This
confirmation came about after a member of the public attending a Get
Mobilized March http://www.getmobilized.ca/ rapped up with a meeting
with Mayor O`Brien and persons with disabilities at City Hall had approached
Mayor O`Brien about some of the challenges faced by persons with
disabilities with our present public transportation system.

Mayor O`Brien announced to the group who had come out to support Jeffery
Preston who had traveled by wheelchair from London Ontario, that this was
the first time he had heard of the lay offs and that he had immediately
called Alain Mercier who not only confirmed the lay offs but stated that
this is a regular practice done each summer.

Mayor O`Brien has also stated that he is committed to getting to the bottom
of this and is encouraging members of the disabled community to attend this
Wednesday`s Joint Transit Committee starting at 3:00 p.m.

On June 9th, Gardner had received an email from Councillor Cullen who is the
Chair of the Transit Committee stating "This is to let you know that (1) no
Para Transpo drivers are being laid off"!

*Facts:*
In December 2007, Para Transpo had 91 vehicles which could hold up to 10
passengers, they also had about 35 sedans.

Since January 2008, Para Transpo has reduced their service to 91 vehicles
which now hold up to 7 passengers and they no longer have sedan service as
they have contracted this service out to taxis.

Para Transpo users are being denied access to bookings including to work and
medical appointments.

Para Transpo users who are not allowed to call until 9:00 are finding that
bookings are gone prior to 9:00 and that stand by`s are closed off at 9:00.

A number of persons with disabilities who use wheelchairs & scooters are
being denied year round Para Transpo service.

The high cost of gas is forcing more of the public onto OC Transpo making it
harder for persons with disabilities who use OC Transpo to access this
service.

The general public are being encouraged to park their vehicles and take
public transit, yet persons with disabilities who have vehicles are being
forced to keep their vehicles on the road because they cannot access Para or
the conventional buses.

*Peaceful Demonstration Planned:*
**
Gardner states that on Wednesday, June 18th a peaceful demonstration (rain
or shine) will take place at 2:30 p.m. This demonstration will leave the
Rideau Centre (McKenzie King Bridge) and will proceed to City Hall where
members of the disabled community plan to address their concerns at
the Joint Transit and Corporate Services and Economic Development Committees
which is scheduled to start at 3:00 in the Andy S Haydon Hall on the first
floor.

Source: Catherine Gardner
------ 30 ------

Catherine Gardner

Community Advocate / Freelance Photojournalist

www.catherinegardner.ca

(613) 726-3609 (Voice / TTY)



[image: Photo of Young Buck]

Click Here To View More of My Photos <http://www.pbase.com/catherinegardner>




-- 
Terrie ( mocharebyl at gmail.com )
"If you see an injustice being committed, you aren't an observer, you are a
participant." June Callwood
Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and
renders the present inaccessible. Maya Angelou
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