Accessibility Advisory Committee

Minutes

Meeting #:

1

Date:

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Time:

6:00 P.m. - 7:00 P.m.

Location:

Electronic Participation

Present:

• Phillip Turcotte, Chair, 
• Wayne Antle, 
• Ana Maria Cruz-Valderrama, 
• Vania Karam, 
• and Don Patterson 

Absent:

• Brian Wade, Vice-Chair, 
• Holly Ellingwood, 
• Adele Furrie, 
• Murray Gallant, 
• and Tammy Kelly 

---

1.

Notices and meeting information for meeting participants and the public

Zoom meeting no. 83762341531

Notices and meeting information are attached to the agenda and minutes, including: availability of simultaneous interpretation and accessibility accommodations; in camera meeting procedures; information items not subject to discussion; 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 or visual presentations is 4 pm on February 15, 2023.

2.

Declarations of Interest

No Declarations of Interest were filed.

3.

Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department

3.1

Update – 2022 E-Scooter Pilot Program

Heidi Cousineau, Program Manager, Neighbourhood Traffic Calming provided an oral update and answered questions from the Commission.  A copy of their slide presentation is filed with the Office of the City Clerk. Jennifer Therkelsen, Program Manager, Bylaw Enforcement Services also answered questions at committee.

The Commission RECEIVED the presentation for information.

• Motion No. AAC AAC2023-01-01
  Moved by Phillip Turcotte

  WHEREAS, in Ontario, the use of e-scooters is prohibited, subject to any pilot projects adopted under O. Reg. 389/19 – Pilot Project – Electric Kick-Scooters.

  WHEREAS the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) has been actively engaged on the City of Ottawa’s shared Electric Kick Scooter Pilot in Ottawa, including during the 2020, 2021, and 2022 pilot projects.

  WHEREAS the AAC had, based on the results of the 2020 and 2021 pilot projects, passed a motion (AAC 2022 1/20) advising City Council:

  1. not to conduct any more pilots that would allow e-scooters to be used in any public places in Ottawa, whether the e-scooter is owned by, borrowed by, or rented by the rider; and 
  2. to decline any further participation in O.Reg 389/19 – Pilot Project – Electric Kick-Scooters.

  WHEREAS the AAC has been consulted by City staff on the results of the 2022 pilot project and the recommendations from staff arising out of the 2022 pilot project;

  WHEREAS the 2022 pilot project demonstrated that accessibility barriers caused by misuse of e-scooters can be mitigated through technologies that: only allow e-scooter parking in specific, geofenced areas; detect and prevent sidewalk riding; and cause e-scooters to emit a constant, audible noise when in motion;

  WHEREAS the AAC understands that these accessibility barrier-preventing technologies are not yet available on private e-scoters sold to consumers, and that the City of Ottawa does not currently have the ability to impose such technologies on e-scooters sold to consumers; and

  WHEREAS without such barrier-preventing technologies privately owned, consumer e-scooters pose an inherent safety risk to pedestrians with disabilities and pedestrians who are seniors;

  THEFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the AAC rescinds its motion AAC 2022 1/20;

  THEREFORE BE IT ALSO RESOLVED THAT the AAC supports the continuation of the City of Ottawa’s shared Electric Kick Scooter Pilot, provided that the pilot:

  1. Only allows the use of shared e-scooters provided by qualified providers;
  2. Requires qualified providers to use accessibility barrier-preventing technologies on their shared e-scooters; and
  3. Dedicates adequate resources to monitoring and enforcing the rules of the pilot, including a fifteen-minute response window for complaints, and adequate deterrents and consequences for misuse of e-scooters; and

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the AAC advises City Council to work with the Province of Ontario to develop rules, requirements and regulations to the effect that consumer e-scooters contain the same barrier-preventing technologies as shared e-scooters.

  For (3)	Phillip Turcotte, Vania Karam, and Don Patterson
  Against (2)	Wayne Antle, and Ana Maria Cruz-Valderrama

  Carried (3 to 2)

4.

Members' Items

4.1

Motion – The Honourable David C. Onley

The following motion was read but not carried, so that it may be recorded in the minutes and considered by the Accessibility Advisory Committee following the upcoming review of the Commemorative Naming Policy. Members briefly discussed the motion.

• Motion No. AAC AAC2023-01-02

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following motion be tabled:

  WHEREAS The Honourable David C. Onley was a disabled trailblazer and champion for accessibility and disability inclusion in Ontario; and

  WHEREAS through his own life journey and his commitment to public service, The Honourable David C. Onley served as role model for generations of Ontarians living with disabilities; and

  WHEREAS The Honourable David C. Onley’s dedication to living a life with disabilities openly, in the public eye, was ground-breaking and helped confront Ableism and promote disability pride and disability culture; and

  WHEREAS The Honourable David C. Onley was the first visibly disabled person to serve as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, a position he held to great acclaim, and through which he promoted accessibility and disability inclusion municipally, provincially, nationally, and internationally; and

  WHEREAS The Honourable David C. Onley helped push the implementation and realization of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, by, among other things, serving as its third reviewer; and

  AND WHEREAS The Honourable David C. Onley’s life and legacy profoundly marked Ontario and Ottawa;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) calls on City Council to direct the Office of the City Clerk to consider and report back to Council, as part of the next City of Ottawa Municipal Accessibility Plan (COMAP) Update, on the following: 

  1. Options to highlight The Honourable David C. Onley’s legacy, including the possibility of an annual David C. Onley day in Ottawa, in celebration and memory of his contributions to our province and city; and
  2. Options for how the City of Ottawa can better recognize and celebrate the contributions and work of Ottawans with disabilities making a difference in our city through service and leadership.

5.

Adjournment

Next Meeting: to be determined.

The meeting adjourned at 7:59 pm.