(AGENPARL) - Roma, 9 Marzo 2023 - (AGENPARL) – gio 09 marzo 2023 [Manitoba Media Notice]
March 9, 2023
Manitoba Government Introducing Changes to Improve, Modernize the Vulnerable Persons Living with a Mental Disability Act
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Four Key Changes would Strengthen Network of Support Programs Available to Manitobans Living with an Intellectual Disability and Their Families: Squires
The Manitoba government is introducing changes to the Vulnerable Persons Living with a Mental Disability Act that would modernize the legislation, update its language and better align it with best practices in other jurisdictions, in response to recommendations made by the Vulnerable Persons Living with a Mental Disability Task Force, Families Minister Rochelle Squires announced today.
“Our government remains dedicated to ensuring that all Manitobans have the supports and opportunity to live their lives as fully as possible in the community,” said Squires. “These changes would help us improve support service delivery to adults living with an intellectual disability and their families, with an emphasis on safety and accountability.”
In September 2020, the minister of families appointed the task force of community experts to review the existing system of service and make recommendations for its improvement. In December 2021, the task force’s final report, Pathways to Dignity: Rights, Safeguards, Planning and Decision Making, was released and the Manitoba government committed to implementing its recommendations, the minister noted.
Throughout the process of developing the amendments, government also invited feedback through a series of virtual and in-person consultations with families and self-advocates, advocacy groups, internal staff, and service-delivery organizations.
Based on the task force’s recommendations and stakeholder consultations four key changes to the act would:
– reflect the current legal landscape and increase integration of Manitoba law with international law on rights of people with disabilities;
– offer a more inclusive approach and modernize language when addressing individuals living with an intellectual disability;
– provide additional clarification on abuse and neglect issues; and
– involve individuals living with an intellectual disability and their support network in the abuse investigation process.
For more information on the Vulnerable Persons Living with a Mental Disability Task Force report and implementation plan, visit: [https://gov.mb.ca/fs/vp-task-force-report.html](https://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/vp-task-force-report.html).
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For more information:
– Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
– Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Communications and Stakeholder Relations: 204-451-7109.