The President of Barrier Free Saskatchewan, Robin East, received a letter from Honorable Carla Qualtrough, the Federal Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility, about Bill C81, the Accessible Canada Act (ACA).

The text below is the content of the email message sent by The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility to the President, Robin East, of Barrier Free Saskatchewan.

Dear Mr. East:

I write to you today in my new role as Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility. I was very pleased to receive the call from the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, asking me to once again take on this challenge. Accessibility and the rights of Canadians with disabilities have always been my passion, and so I am thrilled to be able to continue working with you.

During my previous tenure as Minister of Persons with Disabilities, we accomplished so much together and we will continue to do great things as we move towards the passage of Bill C-81, the “Accessible Canada Act.” I know that you and your organization have invested significant time, energy and talent into advancing the accessibility agenda in Canada; the tabling of Bill C 81 in June is a testament to your hard work and dedication to this file. I am looking forward to our continued work together as we begin to move Bill C-81 through Parliament and begin to break down the barriers that exist for Canadians with disabilities. The swift passage of this bill will be one of my top priorities.

I am also keen to continue our work together in my role as Minister of Public Services and Procurement. The merger of these responsibilities, Accessibility, Public Services and Procurement, gives me the unique ability to effect real change across our entire government and country. As you know, this matter is both personal and very close to my heart. I am committed to continuing to consult and work with you, and finding ways to ensure our government is taking all possible steps towards creating a truly inclusive and accessible Canada.

Yours sincerely,

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility