OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(EMWNews – Aug. 7, 2008) – Changes to the legislation governing developmental services in Ontario are coming, and they’re not all good.

With hearings on the new legislation set for Ottawa Aug. 8, Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union will present to the Standing Committee on Social Policy.

Thomas says this Bill will lead to a serious erosion in the quality of services for people with developmental disabilities.

The union says the new bill needs to be changed. “As now structured, it will lead to destabilized funding for developmental service agencies, loss of services for some people, and the creation of a privatized, competitive bidding system similar to the one that has been so disastrous in home care,” says Thomas.

President Thomas will present OPSEU’s brief at the hearings on Bill 77:

Where: Ottawa Marriott Hotel, 100 Kent St. Cartier Room

When: August 8, 2008 – 2:45 p.m.

President Thomas will be available for media interviews after the hearings.

OPSEU represents 8,000 developmental services workers across Ontario.