Future of Manitoba Developmental Center:
Today the Manitoba Government made public a press release regarding the future of Manitoba Developmental Center in Portage La Prairie.
The Report calls for
- The release of 16 people over the next 3 years who have an expressed an interest to leave the institution
- A process of facilitated decision making to make residents aware of alternative living options through Community Living
- Going forward anyone who expresses an interest to get out will be helped to make that transition
- And finally the Canadian Human Rights Commission will act as a watch dog to make sure all this progress continues to move forward.
All this is a testament to the collaboration of a multi-faceted stakeholder group – which included People First of Canada!
There CAN be consensus and the re-claiming of common ground Kudos to all involved!
Lets hold off on the fire works for now. At least until the final tower comes down like at Woodlands in Burnaby British Columbia
The Reports unfortunate focus seems to be for the continuing support to be allocated to MDS as a respite/day program facility…and the oh so very present concession that the Province of Manitoba will ensure that MDS in some iteration will remain an imperative part of the employment landscape in Portage La Prairie.