Manitoba disability advocates say support continues to grow for a sweeping overhaul of the province’s adult disability support system, even as they await an official response from the provincial government.
An open letter sent to the province last week has now been signed by 55 organizations and 989 individuals, calling on the government to implement all 13 recommendations contained in the final report of the Integrated Adult Services (IAS) Pilot Project.
David Kron, executive director of the Community Paraplegic Association of Manitoba, said the campaign has become a grassroots movement that will continue throughout the summer as advocates collect more signatures and personal stories.
“We wanted to show government this is a real issue for Manitobans across the board,” Kron said. “We’re still getting more organizations and more individuals signing on.”
The letter was sent to Families and Accessibility Minister Nahanni Fontaine and Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara. Under the terms of a human rights settlement that led to the report, the Manitoba government has until Dec. 16 to outline how it intends to respond to the recommendations.
Kron said he has received acknowledgements confirming the government received the letter but has not yet received a substantive response.
“I’d much rather they take their time and understand what’s involved and give us a meaningful reply than react to it,” he said. “It’s a big report. I want them to read it, understand it and reach out if they have questions.”
Kron said he hopes to eventually meet with Premier Wab Kinew to discuss the report, emphasizing that the recommendations extend well beyond health and disability services.
“This affects education, employment, housing, mental health, every government department,” he said. “That’s why I’m looking for the premier to answer, because this is a whole-of-government issue.”
The report, Equality, Dignity and Belonging: Building a Better System for People with Disabilities in Manitoba, was released June 16 following a pilot project established through a human rights settlement involving Manitobans Tyson Sylvester and the late Amelia Hampton.
The pair filed complaints in 2016 alleging Manitoba’s disability services discriminated against adults with complex disabilities after they aged out of children’s services. The pilot project tested a coordinated model of disability supports involving 33 participants and consultation with more than 200 Manitobans.
The report concludes Manitoba’s current disability support system is fragmented and inequitable, recommending it be replaced with a needs-based system grounded in human rights principles.
Among the recommendations are replacing diagnosis-based eligibility with needs-based assessments, creating a provincewide “one-door” navigation system, introducing portable funding controlled by individuals, establishing an independent provincial disability advocate and expanding access to housing, transportation and health services.
Kron said the number of organizations supporting the letter demonstrates the breadth of concern across the province.
“Those organizations collectively represent thousands of Manitobans,” he said. “These are voters in every constituency, and we want government to understand why this is so important.”
He said advocates are seeking fundamental, long-term reform rather than incremental improvements.
“We’re not looking for charity,” Kron said. “The Government of Manitoba has a duty to support its citizens with disabilities. We don’t want changes around the edges. We want fundamental change based on human rights.”
Kron acknowledged meaningful reform will take time but said advocates are prepared for a long campaign.
“We know this is generational change,” he said. “It won’t happen quickly, but we’d much rather it happen thoughtfully and be done well.”
He said advocates also plan to raise awareness nationally, noting Nova Scotia has been pursuing similar reforms following its own human rights case.
“If Manitoba gets this right, other provinces can look to this model,” Kron said. “It has the potential to create change across Canada.”
