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Home My WebLink AboutLucknow Sentinel, 2009-04-08, Page 6• Page 6 - Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, April 8, 2009 New provincial legislation on accessibility raises evebrows BY CHERYL HEATH Clinton News -Record Staff Sweeping new provincial legisla- tion designed to enforce stringent new standards for a fully accessible Ontario is begin- ning to draw raised eyebrows from county councillors. In reporting on the Huron County Accessibility gg re* 04934 ,;f V' meati www.tnoviolutiks Fri&Sat 6:45&9:15 Sun - Thur 8:00 Fri, Sat, Sun /A Mon Matinsosi 2:00 wawa W 1-800-265-3438 Advis•ory Committee's latest meeting to county council April 1, chairwoman Dorothy Kelly (Morris - Turnberry) says concern is mount- ing about the legis- lation, set to take effect in the year.. 2011, because of the potential price tags attached to it. "Don't leave it all to the last minute," she sug gests, noting lower -tier munici F alities with con- cerns about upgrades to Andrew Carnegie library branches and other heritage buildings may soon want to start a letter -writing cam- paign. Kelly says one. positive as t of the HCAA is . it does have the nec- essary experts on board lo advise Municipalities and businesses on their renovation plans. Kelly points to Huron East as an example of a municipality that.. recently .utilized the service for its Brussels arena- renovation rena renovation plans. She points out the HCAAC wil be making a pres entation on th province' Accessibility fo Ontarians with Disabilities Ac (AODA), also known as BiU 118 to interested municipal - official on April. 17. "We want to keep our profile as visible as possi- ble," says Kelly-jnreference to . thelegislation. Indeed, she notes the com- mittee will have a booth at the u -��:i April20 P� g brochure swap . for that purpose. Coun. Deb hewfelt oderich) won- rs whether there been any dis- cussion with regard to the��. Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) resolution 'request- ing g �a delay m enforcement of the act given its broad scope. "There's a sug- gestion it's coming too fast," he says.` 1 He adds the - HCAAC was quite e helpful with input s on the recent r '�r Goderich town - hall renovations. t Larry Adams, Chief , Administrative Officer for Huron s. County, reports there are a number of concerns in sev- eral quarters about the act's require require- ments. "It's coming awfully quickly. It's extremely he expensive," says. Coun. Neil • Vincent (North Huron) says it is unfortunate the :. provincial legisla- tion egis - tion is lumping all municipalities into one class since urger : ones have the revenue to han- dle renovations. "In the economy we're in right now, things: are going to have to be looked at,:.. says Vincent, noting: municipali- ties should enlist the help of Huron - Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell. Meanwhile, County Warden Ken , Oke reports he recently attend- ed a seminar where there proved to be two points of view ori the legislation. One speaker said there would likely be no enforcement- as long as a mutic- ipality has an action plan while David Onley, the Lieutenant Governor Governor who is entrusted . with enforcing the act, said those found not to lie in com- pliance *ill be prosecuted: "There are different versions of it. It is going to be costly and it's going to,:be a lot of work trenovate some • of these buildings bring. : them up to code," .says Oke. The HCAAC chairwoman says it is unlikely . any municipality will hold itself up as/ a test case by refus- ing to comply with the act given the range of fines involved. The act states that persons.. or .organizations convicted of an offence under its purview are liable for fines of up to $50;000 for each and every day or part day: that an. offence happens while a corpora- tion may face a fine of up to $100,000 for each and every daor part day that an offence happens: Directors and or officers of a corpo- ration are also liable to fines of up • to $50,000 for each and every day or part day that an offence happens. • IP Deserve to Play 'Best Public Golf Course" - "Best Greens in South Western Ontario" - London Free Press "i3est Golf Value in Province" Score Golf Magazine Black Members & daii Play over 35 Additional Courses in Ontario for e, just $30 Gr6an Fees - That's Value! Cost of 18 Hole Memberships are equal or lower than some 9 Hole Courses. 14/.4stp,st for Less?' OPEN HOUSE Sat. April 11 — lla.m. — 4p.m. Refreshments Served BOOKING T 4 ;,..„.,. 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