PROPOSED LEGISLATION, COALITION AIM TO END PICKETING BEFORE HOMES OF PEOPLE LIVING IN SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

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Organizations and agencies working with people living in supportive homes with developmental disabilities have been struggling with problems arising from labour disputes.

Community Living Ontario has published a booklet, "Behind Closed Curtains - the summer of 2007," that highlights the comments of people living homes that were picketed.

Another group, the Respect Our Homes Coalition, has launched a website to raise awareness and illustrate the negative impact striking employees have had on people living in supportive housing who are confronted with this.

Members of the group emphasize that they have no issue with support workers striking or picketing.

Their focus is that when picket lines have moved from agency office buildings to the homes of those supported through these agencies "a serious infringement of people's rights occurs".

Not an isolated incident, such actions have taken place in front of supportive housing residences in 2007 and 2009.

A private member's Bill was put forward by Sylvia Jones (Dufferin-Caledon) in the Ontario Legislature that would prohibit the picketing of supported group living residences where persons with developmental disabilities reside.

The Bill would also prohibit counselling, procuring, supporting or encouraging a person to engage in such actions, and makes them civilly liable for damages. It has received first reading in May.

Bill 83, Protecting Vulnerable People Against Picketing Act

Ontario Legislature
http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&Intranet;=&BillID;=2378

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