Renovations at Manitoba Legislature to improve accessibility

The Manitoba Legislative Building is undergoing some renovations that will make it more accessible and accepting for those who work and visit the historic structure.

Construction crews are making a part of the chamber of the legislature wheelchair accessible. The work is being done in phases and the goal is to have the top row of seating in the chamber accessible by the fall session in October.

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Crews are also doing renovations to make two washrooms in the 97-year-old building gender-neutral.

But the job isn't as simple as, say, your average kitchen reno.

"It's a very complicated space. There is heritage considerations, the accessibility considerationsand also the engineering and architectural considerations, and also what's feasible and what's affordable," said Susanne Parent, the acting assistant deputy minister for Accommodation Services with the province.

The government has formed a committee that included representatives from the disabled community. The age andcomplexity of the building and the chamber meant plenty of research for committee members.

"We looked at all the chambers across Canada and even work to investigate what's being done internationally," Parent said.

Given the chamber'sage and unique design, accessibility to the middle row of seats for members of the Manitoba Legislative Assemblyisn't possible.

The committee is still looking at ways to make it easy for wheelchairs to get on to the floor of chamber.That is somethingcritical for AssiniboiaMLA Steven Fletcher. The veteran politician isquadriplegic and raised a point of privilege this past June about accessibility in the chamber.

"There is only one solution and it is the simplest solution, and that israising the floor so it's flush with the main entrance or to a height where an incline would be of a reasonable length to meet code," Fletcher said.

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Fletcher saidhe wasn't consulted on the changes being made now or what might be done in the future. When asked why he wasn't canvassed for his opinion, Fletcher said, "no comment."

More upgrades

The chamber isn't the only partof the building getting upgrades. Several door openings in washrooms and work spaces are being widened, and some doors will have powered access control units installed.

News that crews are renovating two bathrooms to make them gender neutral is getting positive responses from the LGBTcommunity.

Transgenderwoman Shandi Strong says a perfectly normal function like going to the bathroom can cause deep anxiety for some people when gender is involved.

"Prior to my surgery when I had to go to a public bathroom I was terrified. I was terrified that someone was going to point a finger at me; keep in mind this was going back many years ago," Strong said.

Strong, who ran as a candidate for the Manitoba Liberal Partyin the last provincial election, is pleased the renovations at the legislature include gender-neutral bathrooms.She is thankfulthe Progressive Conservatives areletting the changes happen.

"We in the LGBT community were very afraid when the [Progressive] Conservatives came to power that we would lose a lot of the things we already have, or have to fight again," Strong said. "I am very pleased to see we didn't have to fight for them."

The cost for the modifications, including the first phase of changes to the chamber, is pegged at $675,000.

The hope is the second phase of renovations to the chamber will be completed in time for the building's 100th anniversary in 2020.