Speakers Corner: Does Toronto have an accessibility problem?

Accessibility in Toronto and Ontario: Is There a Problem?

The segment examines whether Toronto (and Ontario) has an accessibility problem, focusing on a real-world case where a person using a wheelchair is blocked from entering a newly renovated restaurant.

Case Study: Inaccessible Entrance at a Newly Opened Restaurant

• A woman with cerebral palsy says she often encounters barriers when trying to access stores and recently faced one at a new Tim Hortons in her neighborhood.
• Kristen Mosley (with her father David) and another wheelchair user were reportedly unable to enter because the store allegedly did not have an accessible entrance.
• A city spokesperson said that, under Ontario’s building code, the business was not required to make the entrance accessible because the renovation (though extensive) was less than 300 square meters.

Criticism: Legal Compliance May Still Fail the Public

• Anthony Furey of the Ontario Disability Coalition argues that even if a business follows the rules, it may still not be truly serving the community—particularly when the location is new or recently renovated.
• The segment frames the case as part of a broader concern that Ontario may not meet the 2025 accessibility goal under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Concern About Enforcement Before the 2025 Deadline

• Disability advocates are described as skeptical that businesses will comply broadly and that the government will actively enforce the January 1, 2025 deadline “to the letter of the law.”
• A Tim Hortons spokesperson thanked City News for raising the issue and said they are following up to resolve it quickly.
• However, advocates remain concerned that this may reflect a wider systemic gap.

Advocacy Message

Furey emphasizes that the goal is not to shame anyone, but to educate and promote accessibility and inclusion as the “right thing to do,” highlighting frustration that a major brand’s new location would still try to rely on an exemption or loophole.

Presenters / Contributors

• Anthony Furey (Ontario Disability Coalition)
• Christina Rhodes (wheelchair user; cerebral palsy)
• Kristen Mosley (waited outside for the accessible entrance)
• David Mosley (Kristen’s father)
• Tim Hortons spokesperson
• City spokesperson (quoted on Ontario building code requirements)
• Pat Taney (City News)