RENEWING DEMOCRACY
ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL
Access to public services and spaces, as well as commercial establishments, is a measure of individual power. To be denied access is to be denied a basic right of citizenship. To be allowed access is to be given respect and opportunity. Full access for all Ontarians to built infrastructure, good and timely health-care, literacy programs, post-secondary education, job opportunities and outdoor spaces is a necessary condition for a healthy democracy, and, a fair society. We have come part way on this process but we still have a long way to go. The Ontario Green Party is committed to significantly increasing all forms of accessibility. We believe that it is both possible and necessary to create an access and participation model that we can be proud of.
To that goal we would:
- Provide PST tax rebates and interest-free loans for accessibility retro-fits of commercial establishments.
- We will significantly lower post-secondary tuition and provide loans partially repayable through community service.
- Expand the number of post-secondary spaces at learning institutions across the province to accommodate the double cohort of high school graduates.
- Invest strategically (i.e. provide collateral for lenders) into a wide range of accessible subsidized housing projects.
- Increase support for school and community-based Literacy programs.
- Alternate User-Pay Provincial Park entrance access with Free access periods.
- Implement stronger Access legislation to accelerate change.