David Onley, former lieutenant-governor of Ontario, dead at 72 | 24CA News
David C. Onley, who served as Ontario’s twenty eighth lieutenant-governor, has died on the age of 72, the lieutenant-governor’s workplace mentioned Saturday night.
Serving from 2007 to 2014, Onley was the primary particular person with a bodily incapacity to carry the submit, an announcement from Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell reads.
“Whenever Mr. Onley entered a room, those present saw beyond physical limitations. They saw a person they liked and admired,” she mentioned. “There is no doubt that his legacy has positively impacted the lives of people across Ontario.”
Onley had disabilities stemming from a childhood bout with polio, and he used a motorized scooter. Before taking workplace, he had a profession in tv journalism, which included a concentrate on science and know-how reporting, Dowdeswell mentioned.
He then served as chair of the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council and was a member of the accessibility councils for the Rogers Centre and the Air Canada Centre, she mentioned, describing Onley as an “active advocate” for improved entry to employment for folks with disabilities.
During his time period, Dowdeswell says, Onley additionally channelled his ardour for entry to alternatives into increasing literacy and teaching programs for Indigenous folks in Ontario whereas “emphasizing the importance of reconciliation.”
Later in life, Dowdeswell mentioned, he acted as a particular adviser on accessibility inside the Ontario authorities and as a senior lecturer on the University of Toronto Scarborough.
Onley is survived by his spouse, Ruth Ann, and youngsters Jonathan, Robert, and Michael, Dowdeswell mentioned.
‘A person of dignity’
Politicians and colleagues remembered Onley’s character and advocacy upon the news of his demise.
“He was such a man of dignity and so respectful of the political process and the need to analyze what was going on. I have such a deep respect for him,” former Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne instructed 24CA News Network on Saturday.
“It was so clear that he was thrilled to be in the role of lieutenant-governor, but his passion was to demonstrate that everyone should have a chance to live to their fullest,” Wynne mentioned of his advocacy for folks with disabilities.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford issued an announcement Sunday saying he was “deeply saddened” to listen to about Onley’s demise.
“As Lieutenant Governor, and throughout his life, he worked tirelessly to raise public awareness about accessibility issues, encouraging people to ‘see the ability, rather than the disability,”‘ the assertion reads.
“His contributions to the province and his unwavering commitment to public service will long be remembered and celebrated.”
Outgoing Ontario Lt.-Gov. David Onley seems again on his time period at Queen’s Park.
Onley was a “proud” graduate of the University of Toronto Scarborough, the place he returned as a lecturer upon vacating his submit as lieutenant-governor.
University president Meric Gertler mentioned the varsity was honoured to have Onley as its particular ambassador for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games.
“We send our deepest condolences to the Onley family at this very sad time. We will miss this true gentleman,” reads an announcement from Gertler posted on Twitter.
Toronto Mayor John Tory mentioned he was “so sad” to listen to of Onley’s demise, calling him a “gracious and committed” lieutenant-governor even after his interval in workplace.
“We are all thankful for his legacy of championing disability issues and fighting for accessibility for everyone,” Tory mentioned in an announcement.
Onley’s political legacy
Onley “made history” all through his seven years in workplace, the advocacy group Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Alliance mentioned in an announcement.
“David Onley was a good friend, trusted advisor and comrade in arms in the campaign for accessibility for people with disabilities,” mentioned David Lepofsky, the chair of the alliance.
Just just a few months in the past, Lepofsky says Onley helped marketing campaign for AODA Alliance to give testimony on Bill C-22, the proposed Canada Disability Benefit Act.
In early 2019, Onley delivered his evaluation of the AODA. The report described Ontario as “mostly inaccessible” and criticized the present Ford authorities, in addition to earlier Liberal administrations, for failing to comply with via on the 2005 regulation’s promise of creating the province absolutely accessible by 2025.
“This is a matter of civil rights, and people with disabilities are being discriminated against on a daily basis in multiple ways,” he mentioned on the time.
When commenting on the Ontario authorities’s progress on his report in February, Onley made word of the shortage of agency dates and commitments within the Advancing Accessibility in Ontario framework, which goals to enhance accessibility within the province and was knowledgeable by the suggestions in Onley’s report.
“These governments do not exist to solve problems. They create offices, positions and ideas. But they’re not solutions,” Onley mentioned.
