Bill 182-Ontario Down Syndrome Day (2016)

BIG DREAMS – Ontario Down Syndrome Day – closer to a reality!

In 2015, our DSAH Executive Board members, Alyson Kowalchy (Secretary) and Jennifer Crowson (President) met with the Honorable Ted McMeekin, MPP (Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale) to discuss ways to promote awareness for Down syndrome in our community.  These ladies planted a small seed that day – to do everything we could to have Ontario consider the proclamation of World Down Syndrome Day officially in Parliament.  MPP McMeekin promosised to do what he could.

From left to right: Alyson Kowalchyk, Hon. Ted McMeekin, Jennifer Crowson.

During  the preparations for World Down Syndrome Day 2016, DSAH heard back MPP McMeekin who had not forgotten the promised made the year before – he had found an MPP willing to bring this Private Bill forward and this conversation began a quick race to create a document that could serve as the Preamble to Bill 182: An Act to proclaim Ontario Down Syndrome Day .   On April 4th, Bill 182 was introduced to Parliament.

On April 7th, a second reading and debate took place.  Our DSAH members were there to witness the debate in the Ontario Legislature; to hear first hand why Bill 182 is important to all people in Ontario – not just those of us personally affected by Down syndrome. In those 50+ minutes we were reminded of the discrimination that people with Down syndrome have faced in our province and around the world and how this must stop. We were reminded of the abilities and contributions of all people – including those with ‘differences’ and it was declared loudly that the Province of Ontario  “includes an extra chromosome”!!

We are pleased to provide you with a link to video showing the 50+ minutes of the debate from April 7th, 2016.  We heard some great speeches. Some powerful statements were put forth in support for the Down syndrome community. Monique Taylor makes a great mention of our Fab Five Go21 Walk members in her speech.  Click on the photo below to access the video.

We are grateful to all those how stood up to support Bill 182:

MPP Joe Dickson-Ajax-Pickering -Moved second reading of Bill 182.

MPP Lorne Coe– Whitby-Oshawa

MPP Cindy Foster-Welland

Hon. Helena Jaczek – Minister of Community & Social Services -Oak Ridges Markham

MPP Gila Martow -Thornill

MPP Monique Taylor – Hamilton Mountain

MPP John Fraser – Ottawa South

MPP Granville Anderson – Durham

MPP Bill Walker -Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound

MPP France Gélinas – Nickel Belt

MPP Shafiq Qaadri – Etobicoke North

We will keep you informed on the advances of this wonderful news.  You can always support Bill 182 by writing to your MPP in your representative area and ask them to support Bill 182: An Act to Proclaim Ontario Down Syndrome Day as it is moved through the Legislative Process.  We are excited for the opportunity to celebrate Ontario Down Syndrome Day March, 21st, 2017 as an OFFICIAL LAW.