Letter FROM John R. O'Toole, MPP TO Premier Dalton McGuinty

March 2, 2005

The Hon. Dalton McGuinty
Premier of Ontario
Romm 281, Main Legislative Building
Toronto ON M7A 1A4

Dear Premier:

Please find enclosed a letter you will have received from Heather D. Wegemer concerning the need to change Ontario's laws so that trained service dogs used by sighted disabled persons can have the same access to public venues as service dogs used by those who are blind. My constituent notes that there is a wide variety of service dogs. For example, they may help persons in wheelchairs, support those unsteady on their feet, assist mentally ill individuals and alert those with impaired hearing to auditory cues. However, Ms. Wegemer points out that Ontario law guarantees equal access to public venues only for blind people using a trained service dog. She suggests that the law should change to recognize that dogs are also used to support disabled people who are not blind.

I commend this input to your attention and am confident it will be of interest. Since Ms. Wegemer has shared her letter with me, I would appreciate receiving a copy of your response.

Thank you for your consideration.

Yours truly,

John R. O'Toole, MPP
Durham

encl.