‘We need more time’
CBRM councillors on local library board upset with province’s proposed funding plan
SYDNEY — The library may be known for its quiet setting and tranquil atmosphere, but it appears the traditional cornerstone of the community has become the latest battleground in the fight for equitable funding from the province.
Long underfunded, the Cape Breton Regional Library Board is now at odds with Nova Scotia’s Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage over the province’s latest library funding proposal.
The dispute began on Jan. 19 when board member and Cape Breton Regional Municipality Coun. Amanda McDougall traveled to Truro for a presentation from the department’s deputy minister Tracey Taweel.
But, it turns out she didn’t like what she heard at the meeting of the Library Boards Association of Nova Scotia.
Earlier this week, McDougall reported to fellow councillors that she was told what was said in the presentation was not to leave the room.
“He said next week they will be doing a bit of training and making sure the ramps are fitted,” she said. “He’s hoping everything will be up and running next week.”
Air Canada confirmed the news.
“We can confirm that the ramps have arrived in Sydney and Deer Lake but are not yet in operation,” said Kevin Mio, manager of corporate communications for Air Canada.
“We do not yet have an exact date for when they will be put into service.”
Chiasson spoke out in a story in the Cape Breton Post on Jan. 10 about how her 87-year old mother-in-law, Lucy Chiasson of New Waterford, was carried off an Air Canada plane at the Sydney airport on Jan. 6, strapped into a Washington chair.
A Washington chair is an adjustable chair that is designed to help a disabled people on and off an airplane.
In the story, Chiasson expressed concern that this practice was not only humiliating for her mother-in-law but dangerous for her and the workers as well.
Chiasson said where she called the Cape Breton Post to complain about Air Canada, they feel it’s only fitting to now call and commend Air Canada for stepping up to address this problem and so quickly. She said Sexton has been very responsive when she calls.
“I told them they are keeping their end of the deal, which is all I ask,” she said. “We’re not there yet but we’re getting there. When I start something I just like to make sure it’s completed.”
Chiasson said she thinks the problem extends far beyond Sydney.
“I think this is a problem everywhere; it’s just that people aren’t vocal on it,” she said. “People think it’s acceptable and it shouldn’t be.”
She said officials from the airline said they are coming to Sydney to check out the airport and will be meeting with Marcie Shwery-Stanley, who has physical disabilities and has been an advocate for people with disabilities for the past 37 years.
Chiasson hopes Lucy will also get a chance to meet him.
Shwery-Stanley had first brought the issue of the ramps out publicly, expressing her concerns in a story in the Cape Breton Post on Oct. 18, 2018.
Shwery-Stanley said during an Oct. 4 trip she was placed in a Washington chair and was carried aboard an Air Canada flight. The same practice happened on the return flight, both of which she described as, “unsafe, scary and humiliating.”
At an earlier date after Shwery-Stanley expressed her concerns, Air Canada officials contacted her and said the large jet she had traveled on was seasonal and when it’s brought back in the spring they would have a ramp in place for it.
Shwery-Stanley said Sexton recently contacted her about the ramp being in Sydney.
“I was ecstatic,” she said. Shwery-Stanley said Sexton went above and beyond to see this happen as soon as possible.
She said Sexton has been in constant communication with her since her ordeal and she’s grateful for his constant attention on this. Although Air Canada pledged to have the ramp in place by the spring she said he stepped up and worked hard to get the situation rectified immediately.
“I really feel that Steve and his team at Air Canada went the extra mile to find something and put things in place sooner,” she said.
“I really feel it’s important to him that everyone has accessibility, including people with disabilities.”
Shwery-Stanley said as an advocate for people with disabilities she has met many people working in private services and government agencies.
“The communication I’ve had with Steve is the best I’ve ever seen. He really needs to be commended for how he goes above and beyond for their passengers.”
As well, Shwery-Stanley said, Air Canada is also stepping up communications with passengers booking flights who require assistance so in the interim they know their crew might have to use the Washington chair until the ramp is in place.
“They are also giving them options if they want to go another route through the Halifax airport.”
Shwery-Stanley said she’s pleased with the difference this will make for people with disabilities traveling.
“This whole situation has had made more of an impact than I ever thought.”
In an earlier story in the Post, Sexton said when Air Canada learned of Shwery-Stanley’s ordeal they knew it needed to be corrected, adding she really did a service for everyone.
I think this is a problem everywhere; it’s just that people aren’t vocal on … People think it’s acceptable and it shouldn’t be.” Lucy Chiasson New Waterford