March of Dimes sees government relations and advocacy as a positive agent for change in the lives and livelihoods of people with disabilities. Through government monitoring of disability news and parliamentary submissions, we seek to raise awareness and advance the interests of those who often have no voice.
These advocacy and policy submissions describe where we stand on current issues facing the disability community.
Pre-Budget Submission to Ontario Minister of Finance: Advocating for Caregivers
On Dec. 13th, March of Dimes Vice President, Jerry Lucas, attended the 2012 Pre-Budget Consultations at Queen's Park where he delivered the following brief, entitled, Improving Services for Families: Healthy Living Includes Caregiving. Download full submission in 
Word or 
PDF format.
Submission to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
Study: Examination of the Progress in Implementing the 2004: 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care
On Monday October 31, the university and disability groups representatives who form the Canadian Disability Policy Alliance (of which March of Dimes is a founding. Not long after that meeting this very opportunity presented itself in the form of the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, in its examination of the federal-provincial Health Accord. On November 24th the official submission from the Canadian Disability Policy Alliance was delivered to the Senate Committee, calling for the application of a disability lens when considering future national healthcare agreements between Ottawa and the provinces.
Download and view the Executive Summary in Word or PDF format.
March of Dimes makes a submission to the current Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario
Commission’s pubic consultation document, “Issues and Ideas”, was released in June 2011 March of Dimes Canada solicited staff and consumer feedback throughout our offices in Ontario. Internal consultation and feedback to the Commission’s discussion paper occurred throughoShortly after the ut the summer of 2011. The Social Assistance Submission document is available for download in PDF and Word formats.
March of Dimes commends, but also points out shortcomings, of AODA process at Public Review conducted by Independent Reviewer, Charles Beer
Government Relations represents March of Dimes, making constructive suggestions about the AODA to date. This document is available for download in PDF or Word formats.
Tax incentives recommended for improving accessibility in Canada
Government Relations submits paper to Federal Finance Committee. This document is available for download in PDF or Word formats.
March of Dimes responds to Manitoba’s “Opening Doors”
Read what March of Dimes offers in the way of feedback, comments and recommendations on the Discussion Paper entitled “Opening Doors: Manitoba’s Commitment to Persons with Disabilities” issued by the Manitoba Disabilities Issues Office 2009. Download available in PDF or Word format.
Ontario Government announces public review of the proposed Built Environment Standard of the AODA.
Anyone can comment. Click here to access the relevant documents and to learn how to provide your feedback.
March of Dimes Presentation to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development, and the Status of Persons with Disabilities
Study: Federal Contribution to Reducing Poverty in Canada
This document is available in PDF and 
Word formats.
March of Dimes’ presentation to the Ontario government’s Standing Committee on Social Policy who were seeking public feedback for Bill 152, Poverty Reduction Act, 2009.
Read the official Hansard version. Go to page SP-650 to see what we had to say.( 316 KB file)
Ontario March of Dimes 2009 Pre-Budget Submission to the Ontario Minister of Finance and Revenue, the Hon. Dwight Duncan (November 2008)
View the PDF "Achieving the Do-Able in Uncertain Economic Times," delivered at Queen's Park by Jerry Lucas, November 21, 2008 (145 KB file).
The 2008 Ontario Community Support Association Report
View the PDF "Unleashing Attendant Services: Enhancing People’s Potential, Reducing Wait Times in Acute and Long-Term Health Care."
Contact Us
If you have any questions about the content or significance of any of the topics on this page, please contact:
Government Relations and Advocacy
Tel: 416-425-3463, ext. 7326
Fax: 416-425-1920
advocacy@marchofdimes.ca
AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) Customer Service Policy Feedback
Please send a message to aodafeedback@marchofdimes.ca to submit your comments, concerns, questions or suggestions about our Accessible Customer Service Policy.