Work matters. Having a job and being compensated for our skills, time and energy is an important part of life for most of us.
So there is no doubt Mark Wafer's efforts to make our work force more inclusive and diverse is commendable. The owner of six Tim Horton's franchises in Ontario has hired up to 90 people with various disabilities in his operations.
Wafer was in Richmond last week convincing other business owners to do the same, to create work opportunities for those with physical and developmental disabilities.
His speech, hosted by Richmond Community Living, marked the launch of Community Living Month. The organization supports people with developmental disabilities and their families.
So what's wrong with this picture? Apart from the irony of holding an event that promotes inclusion at one of the most exclusive places in Richmond (the Richmond Golf and Country Club), there is something unsavory about a pitch to business owners, telling them how they can increase their profits by hiring people with developmental disabilities, knowing very few of those hires will earn more than minimum wage.
Granted, something is better than nothing. And, in some cases, a low wage, part time, private sector job is just the ticket. But obviously it's not enough. The worry is that our government thinks it is. People like Wafer are leaders who should be commended. But holding them up as shining examples of the private sector delivering social good only further justifies government cuts to vital social agencies. Having a disability is hugely expensive. Inclusion in the workplace is laudable, but it doesn't excuse the government from its responsibility.
