MFL speaks out for accessibility rights and saving Lake Winnipeg

Some very weighty issues were on the table at the Manitoba Legislature last night and MFL President Kevin Rebeck was there to make sure the voices of working people were heard.

In one packed Legislative Committee room, MLAs received presentations on Bill 47, the Accessibility Advisory Council Act. The Bill would establish an Accessibility Advisory Council to identify barriers that people face and find ways to prevent and remove those barriers. The council would include members of the disability community and other affected stakeholders. It would make recommendations on legislation, regulations, policies and long term targets to improve accessibility in Manitoba.

Many Manitobans, including many with disabilities themselves, made their views known. On behalf of the Manitoba Federation of Labour, Kevin Rebeck (see top photo) supported the Bill as a positive first step, but expressed disappointment that Manitobans with disabilities will need to wait at least another year before the Province introduces universal, comprehensive accessibility rights legislation in Manitoba. He noted that the MFL membership includes many injured workers, workers with disabilities and older workers who have already waited years for equal access to full participation in our society.

In another Legislative Committee room, MLAs heard from Manitobans on Bill 46, the Save Lake Winnipeg Act. Both Kevin Rebeck, on behalf of the MFL, and Lois Wales (bottom photo), on behalf of the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union (MGEU) made presentations expressing strong support for the Bill.