From: Stubel, Daryl SS <Daryl.Stubel@gov.sk.ca>
Sent: November 15, 2022 2:40 PM
Subject: The Accessible Saskatchewan Act
Greetings,
I am very pleased to advise you that the proposed Accessible Saskatchewan Act was introduced as a bill in the Saskatchewan Legislature today.
For some background on this process, a bill goes through three readings. It is first introduced at the First Reading which was today. At the Second Reading it will be debated by members of the Legislature. At the Third Reading the bill is voted on. If the bill passes the Third Reading, it will proceed to Royal Assent. When given Royal Assent, the bill becomes law (it will become an Act). However, in this case, the Act will not come into force until a later date to be determined. This will allow for the necessary administrative and regulatory structure to be established, including the making of regulations.
A few highlights in the proposed Accessible Saskatchewan Act are:
- The Government of Saskatchewan will take the lead. To ensure organizations are supported, the proposed legislation will apply to government first, including rolling out an accessibility plan for the government.
- An Accessibility Advisory Committee will be appointed, with at least half of the members being persons with disabilities or from organizations that represent people with disabilities. This committee will advise government on the development of accessibility standards.
- A Saskatchewan Accessibility Office will be established to increase public awareness and education of the new Accessibility Act. In addition, this office would be responsible for monitoring, compliance and enforcement of the legislation.
- The proposed Act recognizes sign languages as the main form of communication for people who are Deaf.
- Publishing an annual report on the actions taken to implement the new legislation.
The government will continue to engage with the public, persons with disabilities and the private sector to develop accessibility regulations and standards.
All the information on the Accessible Saskatchewan Act can be found here: accessiblesk.saskatchewan.ca.
Please share this with your networks and if you have any questions or wish to discuss, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you for your continued collaboration on this historic legislation and I look forward to working with you as this journey continues.
Daryl
Daryl Stubel
Government of Saskatchewan
Executive Director
Office of Disability Issues
1920 Broad Street
Regina SK S4P 3V6
Ph: 306.787.3670
TTY: 306.787.7283
Toll Free: 1-877-915-7468