City of Martensville creates terms of reference for accessibility committee

MARTENSVILLE — City of Martensville councillors passed a motion at their Aug. 19 meeting approving the terms of reference for the city’s new accessibility committee, which will be responsible for developing a plan for removing transportation and movement barriers to disabled people as required by provincial legislation.

The motion also directs administration to proceed with a public call for applications to join the committee and eventually bring a list of recommended appointees to city council.

As noted in a background report, the Government of Saskatchewan enacted the Accessibility Act on Dec. 3, 2023.

Under this legislation, the province was required to complete an accessibility plan by the following December, while designated municipalities had to come up with their own plan by Dec. 3, 2025.

To develop these plans, municipalities must consult with local persons with disabilities, their caregivers and any local organizations that work with disabled persons. These plans must also be publicly posted and reviewed every three years.

The terms of reference are basically the rules governing the new Martensville Accessibility Advisory Committee (MAAC), which will have to develop the plan this fall.

The terms outline requirements like the minimum number of members (two), the lengths of their terms (two years), how chairs and co-chairs are elected, and how many meetings will be held each year (four).

They also require the MAAC to report to city council and develop an annual report on their accomplishments and work plan for the coming year.

Director of recreation and community services Roxanne Melnyk first presented the terms to city council during an Aug. 12 committee of the whole meeting.

“I did not re-create the wheel. I did go to some of our neighbouring communities and took a look at their terms of reference,” she said.

Councillor Brad Blixt questioned whether the provincial legislation required a minimum number of members, noting that Melnyk did not include such a number in the terms presented on Aug. 12.

Melnyk suggested she was concerned about whether they would have enough interest from the community to meet a minimum number, noting that the terms can change with approval by council.

“I hope that as we build and actually create the plan, that we would then be able to bring forward to city council an amendment to the terms of reference,” she said.