Something as simple as handing out flyers to DVA staff in Charlottetown can become a Federal case.

Almost arrested at Veterans Affairs during advocacy (picture Stephen Pate)

Officials at Veterans Affairs are more interested in keeping disability advocates off the premises than they are in moving along loiters, smokers or the rest of the public.

I got a late start around 8 AM down at the Grafton Street entrance to the Danny Dan Building. Things were slow to middling. VA employees are on flex hours.

I had a good conversation with a visiting occupational therapist from Ontario. We compared disability support programs. Theirs is miles ahead of PEI’s DSP. She talked about the need for governments, DVA, CPP and Workers Compensation, to pay attention to the expert recommendations of OT’s and other health professionals. All too often untrained civil servants insert their opinions in a misguided effort to save money, she said.

Things are going along well until a heavy set man and a commissionaire came out. They told me to move off the property. They said I was on Federal government property and talking about politics on Federal government property was not allowed. 

The statement was ridiculous since the Federal government is all about politics and talk of politics. I reminded them that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms provides for freedom of speech, and freedom of association. At Section 2 it says

Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
a) freedom of conscience and religion;
b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and
d) freedom of association.

Not on federal government property according to the man in the jacket. I asked him to show me that in writing. He said he would mail it to me. I said I would move when I got it in the mail.

Sitting and smoking outside Daniel J. MacDonald VA building is OK, handing out disability flyer is not

Then he threatened me so I asked him to call the police. While they were coming I continued to hand out flyers. He was pretty irate. “Don’t talk to me!” he said.

The officer came and we talked about trespass law and I talked about my constitutional right to free speech especially on Federal property, outside the building. There were people sitting on the benches, reading and smoking.

Were they breaking the law? A man walked through the building from Kent Street to Grafton Street. Was he breaking the law?

I believe they were discriminating against me but I didn’t have the time to get arrested today. Besides everyone was already at work!

Someday though, it would be good to test the silly security policy and see if the Charter right supplants the trespass law.

Everyday there is a new hassle trying to get the government to change the way they treat Islanders with disabilities. I should write an email to the Minister and see if he agrees with Mr. Security. Besides he didn’t take my address so how can he send me the policy in writing. Boy was he hot under the collar.