Councillor Ravencroft provided Council with the Accessibility Plan Progress Report. Councillor Burton emphasized the Metrobus accessibility improvements and inquired whether curb cuts were a priority for Staff or if there was a proactive planning process to enhance their accessibility. The Deputy City Manager of Planning, Engineering, and Regulatory Services responded that when there are Capital Works projects Staff make sure that appropriate accessible sidewalks are installed, but there is no proactive program in place. Accessibility improvements are more frequently made upon request.
Councillor Ellsworth noted that when speaking with advocates, it was advised that compliance with CSA B651-23 Accessible Design Standards should be mandated, with exemptions made when needed. He then discussed the issue of accessible bus stops and routes. Transfer stations, such as the Village Mall, must also be fully accessible for the routes to work as intended, which will require capital outlays for infrastructure improvements.