Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Issues in Ontario Election ’99

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Questions for Candidates

The government of Ontario has called a provincial election. Here are some questions that, as a lesbian, gay man, or bisexual man or woman living in Ontario, you may wish to ask candidates in your riding.

HEALTHCARE

In CLGRO’s 1997 report Systems Failure, 96% of respondents said healthcare professionals needed to improve their awareness of the needs and circumstances of lesbians, gays and bisexuals, and to provide services based on that awareness.

Will you and your party:

  • ensure that government ministries produce and enforce antihomophobia guidelines for healthcare professionals so that we receive treatment that respects our dignity and does not endanger our health?
  • ensure that the Ministry of Education and Training insists that colleges and universities incorporate education about the specific needs of lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals in the curriculums for training healthcare professionals?
  • commit to withdrawing the requirement that nutritional supplements be covered by the Ontario Drug Benefits Program only if they are the patient’s sole source of nutrition, and ensure that all Ontarians will have access to nutritional supplements as prescribed by their healthcare professionals?
  • commit to providing additional funding so that all chronically ill and disabled persons will have access to the home-care services they require as prescribed by their healthcare professionals?
  • reverse the damage done to the quality of healthcare received by people living with HIV and AIDS as a result of government cuts to the heathcare system?

EDUCATION

Joseph Stellpflug was fired in 1997 from his position as a teacher with York Region Separate School Board after it became known that he was in a same-sex relationship. Even though the board admitted he was a skilled and respected teacher, they determined his “continued presence might lead students to conclude the board condoned his behaviour.”

Will you and your party:

  • include lesbian, gay, and bisexual issues in the school curriculum?
  • require schools to provide a safe and positive environment for lesbian, gay and bisexual teachers and students?
  • include lesbian, gay, and bisexual parents, students, and teachers in parents’ councils and consultative bodies?
  • mandate provision of resources for creation of programs producing training and information materials for guidance counsellors?
  • proactively deal with homophobia and antigay violence in the schools, through education and antiharassment/violence policies?

RELATIONSHIP RECOGNITION

Robin Black was killed in 1993 in a traffic accident. Her spouse, Kelly Kane, was denied survivor benefits by an insurance company. When the Ontario Court General Division ruled this discriminatory (Oct. 1997), the Ontario government appealed. In fact, since 1995, the Ontario government has opposed every court or tribunal challenge involving same-sex relationship rights and has appealed every positive court case and tribunal decision.

Will you and your party:

  • introduce, or support the introduction of, a bill that gives legal recognition to same-sex relationships?
  • ensure such a bill passes, and that there is no free vote this time?
  • if you form the government, support legal challenges to provide protection for our relationships until a bill is passed and guarantee that you will not to intervene against such challenges?

HOUSING AND SHELTER

The elimination of provincial government support for social housing, in combination with cuts to welfare payments and the elimination of rent control, have severely reduced the housing options for youth, seniors, people with disabilities and single parents, including those who are gay, lesbian or bisexual.

Will you and your party:

  • restore provincial funding to co-operative, low-income and social housing?
  • ensure that recipients of provincial funding for co-operative, low-income and social housing provide such housing to lesbians, gays and bisexuals on a non-discriminatory basis, including the recognition for subsidy eligibility of those in same-sex relationships, with or without children?
  • establish a mandate for, and provide financial assistance to, housing for seniors and people with disabilities that includes providing housing for gays, lesbians and bisexuals and recognizes their particular needs?
  • mandate provincially funded shelters for homeless youth to provide a welcoming atmosphere for lesbians, gays and bisexuals?

SOCIAL SERVICES

In CLGRO’s 1997 report Systems Failure, over 90% of respondents said social-service providers needed to improve their awareness of the needs and circumstances of lesbians, gays and bisexuals and to provide services based on that awareness.

Will you and your party:

  • ensure government funding of community counselling and support services for lesbians, gays and bisexuals, especially those who are youth, seniors or disabled, or have no or low incomes?
  • provide increased resources for programs producing training and information materials for service-providers, such as counsellors and those providing attendant- or home-care, who work with lesbians, gays and bisexuals?
  • establish government policies requiring colleges and universities to incorporate education about the specific needs of lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals in the curriculums for training social-service professionals?

HUMAN RIGHTS AND EMPLOYMENT

Mary Ross was harassed at work, then fired from her position as an accountant in a Sudbury supermarket in 1994. In CLGRO’s 1997 report Systems Failure, one respondent stated: “Three co-workers came to my place of residence and threatened to cause harm to me. One of these workers then shoved me at work and said, ‘[You] won’t live long.’ ”

Will you and your party:

  • ensure the Ontario Human Rights Commission has adequate resources (including funding) to deal with complaints and carry out both internal and public education on issues involving sexual orientation?
  • ensure lesbians, gays and bisexuals are protected under the harassment section of the Code, which does not currently include sexual orientation?
  • amend the Code’s definition of “spouse” is amended to include same-sex relationships?
  • launch a government-funded public education program to eliminate workplace homophobia and actively includes lesbian, gay and bisexual community groups in developing and conducting it?
  • ensure all who serve on government tribunals and adjudicative bodies dealing with employment law, labour relations or workers’ compensation receive mandatory training on issues of sexual orientation?
  • re-introduce an employment equity act that includes in the provisions dealing with education, recruitment and promotion, and employment environment, proactive measures to remove barriers faced by lesbians, gays and bisexuals (but does not include lesbians, gays and bisexuals in numerical goals or quotas)?

ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE

In CLGRO’s 1997 report Systems Failure, 22% of respondents reported being physically assaulted, but only 26% of those reported the assaults to police. Those who did report such incidents generally did not have good experiences.

Will you and your party ensure:

  • that Crown prosecutors and others involved with law enforcement and the administration of justice are instructed to take seriously, and vigorously prosecute, acts of homophobic violence against gays, lesbians and bisexuals?
  • that all provincially appointed judges, Crown prosecutors and others in adjudicative or policy-making capacities within the provincial justice system receive mandatory training on issues of sexual orientation?

Written and published by:

Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario (CLGRO)
May 1999

Published in hard copy with the help of:

The Lesbian and Gay Community Appeal and the John Damien Educational Trust

Graphic design of hard copy:

Dale Barrett

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