Royal Canadian Legion 161 in Gaetz Brook receives provincial and federal funding for accessibility upgrades
Photo (Back left to right): Dean Othen – Branch 161 “House” Chairman, John Meehan – Branch 161 President, Mike Savage – Mayor of HRM, Susan Goodyear – wife of Councillor David Hendsbee, David Hendsbee – HRM Councillor, District 2, Sean Fraser – MP, Central Nova, Mrs. White – wife of Branch 161 member, Ken White, Ken White – Branch 161, Allan Ouellette – Branch 161 Service Officer, Norman Murray – Branch 161 member (behind Allan Ouellette), Curtis Day – Branch 161 Sports Officer, Andy Day – Branch 161 First Vice President, Gary Thompson – Branch 161 membership ChairmanFront (left to right): Kevin Murphy – MLA and Speaker of the House, Nova Scotia Legislature, Darrell Samson – MP Chezzetcook, Sackville, Fall River
Sean Fraser, Member of Parliament for Central Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Kirsty Duncan Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, and the Honourable Kevin Murphy, Member of the Legislative Assembly for the Eastern Shore, announced an investment of $35,864 for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 161 in Gaetz Brook to build accessible washrooms, and a new accessible ramp for the building.
Federal funds were announced through the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF), and the provincial funds through the Community ACCESS-Ability Program.
The EAF supports community-based projects across Canada aimed at making public facilities and workplaces more accessible. In February, Minister Duncan announced the approval of approximately 600 Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) projects for a total of $15.5 million across the country. Through programs such as the EAF, the Government of Canada is taking action to build a more inclusive, accessible and resilient Canada.
The Community ACCESS-Ability Program reflects the Government of Nova Scotia’s commitment to persons with disabilities by providing equal opportunity and improved access to community facilities. This program offers cost-shared grants to community groups for accessibility related capital improvements.
From May 22nd through June 4th, the Province of Nova Scotia will be hosting public engagement sessions regarding accessibility. A full list of the sessions are available at https://novascotia.ca/accessibility/consultation, and those unable to attend are encouraged to submit their feedback to the accessibility directorate at accessibility@novascotia.ca.
“Canada is at its best and all of society benefits when everyone is included, and projects like the ones approved through the Enabling Accessibility Fund do just that. I am glad to see the enthusiasm for this fund growing each year. Thanks to the projects announced today, Canadians with disabilities can fully participate in their communities and their workplaces.”
– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities
“It is imperative that we work to remove barriers for participation in our society, and sometimes this means removing physical barriers. I was so pleased to see the federal government fund this project at the Gaetz Brook Legion to build accessible washrooms, not only for our veterans and service men and women, but all those who visit, or wish to visit the facility. This is a welcomed addition to a well-used community space in Gaetz Brook.”
– Sean Fraser, Member of Parliament for Central Nova
“This funding is much needed for our community so more people can use this facility for all it has to offer. It is welcomed progress toward making Nova Scotia more accessible and reducing barriers for persons with disabilities.”
- Kevin Murphy, MLA for Eastern Shore
“Having access to funds such as the Federal “Enabling Accessibility” and the Nova Scotia “ACCESS-Ability Program” helps organizations such as Branch 161 of the Royal Canadian Legion to provide what we believe to be an absolute right to persons with disabilities. Without the availability of such funds, it is unlikely that we would have been able to afford such facilities from our own resources.”
– John Meehan, President, Branch 161 of the Royal Canadian Legion