Accessibility Advisory Committee

Minutes

Meeting #:
29
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Electronic Participation
Present:
  • Chair Vania Karam, 
  • Wayne Antle, 
  • Ian Bourrie, 
  • Ana Maria Cruz-Valderrama, 
  • Matthew Eliot, 
  • David Humphries, 
  • Paula MacDonald, 
  • Anne Matio, 
  • William Van Veen, 
  • and Hannah Walhad 
Absent:
  • Vice-Chair Holl Ellingwood, 
  • Jodi Fisher, 
  • and Murray MacDonald 
Present non-voting member:
  • Sue Cowin, 
  • Ryan Duchoeny, 
  • and Councillor Marty Carr 

1.
Notices and meeting information for meeting participants and the public

 

Members of Committee and Council, City staff, media and the general public may join the meeting with this link:


Zoom meeting no. 876 0954 4964


Notices and meeting information are attached to the agenda and minutes, including: availability of simultaneous interpretation and accessibility accommodations; personal information disclaimer for correspondents and public speakers; notices regarding minutes; and remote participation details.


Accessible formats and communication supports are available, upon request.


The deadline to register to speak, or submit written comments is 4 pm on the day of the meeting.

2.
Declarations of Interest

 

No Declarations of Interest were filed.

3.
Confirmation of Minutes

 

4.
Emergency and Protective Services

 

4.1
Rental Renovation License By-law

 

Matthew Suatac, Specialist, By-law Review, Public Policy Development Services, Emergency and Protective Services and Samantha Montreuil, Legal Counsel, Legal Services, Office of the City Solicitor provided a presentation and answered questions from the Committee. A copy of the slide presentation is filed with the Office of the City Clerk.

The Advisory Committee discussed and asked questions regarding the following topics:

  • How might evictions for renovations or repair work impact persons with disabilities?
  • What are potential benefits and/or risks to the by-law approaches taken in other cities?
  • What should be considered in any potential regulation to preserve accessible rental housing and equitable access to protections under a municipal by-law?

At the conclusion of discussions, the Committee received the presentation.

  • Recommendation(s)

    That the Accessibility Advisory Committee receive the presentation and provide feedback as appropriate.

    Received

5.
Office of the City Clerk

 

5.1
2026 Municipal Elections

 

Kris Kurs, Program Manager, Elections, Municipal Elections and French Language Services, Office of the City Clerk, Claudine Saumur, Elections Coordinator, Municipal Elections and French Language Services, Office of the City Clerk and Caitlin Corcoran, Elections Coordinator, Municipal Elections and French Language Services, Office of the City Clerk provided a presentation and answered questions from the Committee. A copy of the slide presentation is filed with the Office of the City Clerk.

The Advisory Committee discussed and asked questions regarding the following topics:

  • Does the Committee have any suggested tactics that can be used to better promote the accessibility offerings during an election, including additional ways to make the public aware of the Accessibility Plan?
  • In additional to the plan to attend AccessAbility Day in 2026, is the Committee aware of any outreach opportunities to showcase the accessibility tools?
  • Have members of the Committee experienced, or been made aware of, any barriers to participating in the electoral process that have not been addressed through the presentation?

At the conclusion of discussions, the Committee received the presentation.

  • Recommendation(s)

    That the Accessibility Advisory Committee receive the presentation and provide feedback as appropriate.

    Received

5.2
OC Transpo Accessibility Plan Consultation

 

Megan Richards, Program Manager, Accessibility, Legislative Services, Office of the City Clerk provided a presentation and answered questions from the Committee. A copy of the slide presentation is filed with the Office of the City Clerk.

The Advisory Committee discussed and asked questions regarding the following topics:

  • What is OC Transpo doing well?
  • What barriers do you (or your clients, family members, friends) face?
  • What could be done to improve the accessibility of OC Transpo's programs, services and/or facilities?

At the conclusion of discussions, the Committee received the presentation.

  • Recommendation(s)

    That the Accessibility Advisory Committee receive the presentation and provide feedback as appropriate.

    Received

6.
Transit Services Department

 

6.1
Stability Belts on OC Transpo Conventional Buses

 

Chad Maahs, Manager, Bus and Para Transit Operations, Transit Services provided a presentation and answered questions from the Committee. A copy of the slide presentation is filed with the Office of the City Clerk.

The residents Stephen St. Denis and Kyle Humphrey spoke before the Committee and provided comments on this item.

The Advisory Committee discussed and asked questions regarding the following topics:

  • Are bus drivers supposed to help secure the stability of the wheelchairs?
  • Possible addition of stability belts to conventional buses;

At the conclusion of discussions, the Committee received the presentation.

  • Recommendation(s)

    That the Accessibility Advisory Committee receive the presentation and provide feedback as appropriate.

    Received

7.
Notices of Motions (For Consideration at Subsequent Meeting)

 

There were no Notices of Motion.

8.
Inquiries

 

There were no Inquiries.

9.
Other Business

 

There was no other business.

10.
Adjournment

 

Next Meeting: February 17, 2026.

The meeting adjourned at 08:30 pm.

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