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David Onley named Ontario’s new lieutenant-governor
April Lindgren
CanWest News Service
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
CREDIT: Peter Redman/CanWest News Service
David Onley at CITY-TV in the newsroom.
TORONTO - Ontario's incoming lieutenant-governor said Tuesday he will play an "activist" role over the next five years aimed at improving the lives of people who, like him, live with physical disabilities.
"I will advance the cause of accessibility first merely because of my physical limitations and second through the role of lieutenant-governor," veteran Toronto broadcast journalist and author David Onely told a press conference held at Toronto's Variety Village, a centre for children with disabilities. "I will be an encouraging model for disabled people in general and I hope young disabled people like we have here today in particular.
"Standards and regulations will occur but I hope businesses and individuals are to be motivated to action by the opening of their doors to a lieutenant-governor who has a limited but nonetheless boundless capacity for movement as long as the physical structures enable him to be everywhere."
Stricken with polio when he was three, Onley grew up to become one of Canada's first on-air personalities with a physical disability when he joined CityTV in Toronto in 1984 as a science and weather reporter.
In his long career with the station, he has also been an education reporter, a science and technology reporter, news anchor and producer.
Outside of his journalistic endeavors, Onley has been high-profile advocate for people with disabilities and is also the author of the best-selling novel Shuttle: A Shattering Novel of Disaster in Space.
Onley, who will replace outgoing lieutenant governor James Bartleman at a date yet to be determined, rode to the podium for Tuesday's press conference on a scooter and delivered his remarks standing with the aid of leg braces.
He was accompanied on the stage by his wife Ruth and three sons, Jonathan, 23, Robert 20 and Michael, 17.
"When I was growing up there were no role models for me to aspire to as a young person with a disability other than Franklin Roosevelt and he was the president of the United States and he'd been dead for a long time," he said. "We've been very fortunate in this country to have role models, whether it's Terry Fox or Rick Hansen and others and I know the importance of a role model and that's what I hope to be."
Onley said most of the major buildings and facilities in Toronto are now accessible to people with disabilities and the growing number of aging people with mobility issues but that problems persist with public transit and in many smaller communities.
He also conceded he will not be able to use the private entrance to his new digs at the Queen's Park legislature building any time soon because the only direct access is up a set of stairs located just outside the lieutenant governor's office.
"There are areas that are going to have to be addressed," he said, noting the historic pink sandstone building is accessible from the main front and back doors where ramps have been installed. "I've got plans. When they are gong to implemented I don't know."
Onley said was approached about 13 months ago by supporters about allowing his name to be put forward for the $110,000-a-year job. He was interviewed by a member of the Prime Minister's Office about two weeks ago and then late last Wednesday afternoon was notified the prime minister wanted to speak with him.
"On my way home from work ... the prime minister called me on my car phone. Unfortunately I could not stop (on the Don Valley Parkway), I had to take the call and he told me that in fact he was offering me the position of lieutenant governor."
Harper announced the appointment in a statement issued Tuesday, describing Onley as a "respected author, broadcaster and tireless champion for persons with disabilities. Through this work, he has demonstrated the qualities needed for such an important position.
"He has loyally served the province and his country in a number of roles, and I'm confident as lieutenant-governor, he will continue to do so."
CanWest News Service/with files from Meagan Fitzpatrick
© CanWest News Service 2007
I found this quote particularly amusing: "Onley, who will replace outgoing lieutenant governor James Bartleman at a date yet to be determined, rode to the podium for Tuesday's press conference on a scooter and delivered his remarks standing with the aid of leg braces." Like it is so relevant! Would you ever read something like: "Onley, who will replace outgoing lieutenant governor James Bartleman at a date yet to be determined, rode to the press conference on a Toyota Camry and delivered his remarks wearing brown patent loafers." Ah those silly, voyeuristic ABs...