Note from Marie: My mother served on the Resolution Committee for the Catholic Women's League, where she authored a resolution advocating for improved access to basic needs and the need for creation of affordable housing. On the day she submitted the resolution, she unexpectedly suffered a broken hip and was unable to present and defend her work. Despite this setback, her resolution advanced as far as the national level - a reflection of her insight and commitment to social justice. Following her passing in 2024, I learned that there was a resolution (somewhere) similar to what my mom had created and that the resolution she created is not dead. I hope to see her original goals realized and her advocacy carried forward. I also recognize that she likely lived with undiagnosed Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), which makes her perseverance and contributions all the more extraordinary.
Marie is a recurring guest on multiple radio stations. Among them are: CBC (Winnipeg), CKUW 95.9 FM (Winnipeg), CJNU 93.7 FM (Winnipeg), CJAR (The Pas, MB). 2016 – present
Disability Without Poverty, Housing Panel
Marie gave a presentation on the Disability Without Poverty, Housing Panel: A Look through the Lens of Lived Experience. Online. 2025
Review of Policies, Matrices, ETC.
Contributed to the creation of the Canada Parks Accessibility Matrix and Solution Guide: https://engineeringhealth.ca/parks/. 2023-2024
Parks Accessibility Conference. Shared barriers faced when visiting parks and made recommendations how staff can make parks more accessible. Concerns such as location of fire pits, scent/fragrance free staff, structures and other areas, signage, WIFI towers and access pass. Organized feedback of 150 people in the ES community and those concerned to be sent to Accessible Standards Canada to help inform their draft of Outdoor Standards. 2023-2024
Environmental Illness Coalition Marie, and a few other people were invited to share their personal lived experience which culminated in a brochure sponsored by the Arizona Statewide Independent Living Council via phone/zoom meetings organized by Stephanie Miller, Disability and Emergency Preparedness Equity Educator of the Arizona Statewide Independent Living Council (AZSILC), and Susie Molloy. The intent of the brochure was to inform about access for people iving with Environmental Illness and was for distribution to medical practitioners, EMTs, and State agencies. Brochure. 2023
Marie spoke to members of the City of Winnipeg Council with Marg Friesen regarding smart water meters, requesting an opt out program, no fees to do so, and no medical letter required. Circa 2023 to 2025
Marie gave an online presentation on the Right to A Healthy Environment at the Unitarian Church. Winnipeg, MB. 2022
Marie contacted and shared a version of the resolution her mom created and presented in an initiative entitled “Human Rights for People With Environmental Sensitivities“, – A resolution to extend accommodations for people with disabilities, including those of us with Environmental Sensitivities. This was presented at the 2020 Green Party of Alberta Convention on November 22nd, and while the resolution did not pass at this time, a clear majority of Green Party members of Alberta voted in favour of it. A total of 57% wanted to see it added to the current GPA policy. Unfortunately, it fell just short of the 66% threshold needed to pass, but there was an additional 29% who wanted to see it work-shopped before making a final decision. Roberta Bradley initiated the resolution to the Green Party of Alberta. Nov 2020.
PETITION e2729 Oct 2020 Jenel Shaw, Linda Sepp, Mariette Shaw, Roberta Bradley and Marie helped draft and support Petition e2729. Honourable MP Paul Manly presented it to the Government of Canada. Oct 2020
The petition called upon the Government of Canada to:
- 1. Create an international classification of disease designation code in Canada for environmental sensitivities so that those affected may have access to medical care;
- 2. Include environmental sensitivities as a disability that must be accommodated on all relevant documents and forms in governmental departments and organizations that minister social assistance, housing, medical, and other public services; and
- 3. Ensure all indoor public spaces are declared scent and fragrance-free.
To View Petition e-2729: https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-2729
Marie presented to the Green Party of Manitoba May 2018. Her presentation involved the topic of environmental sensitivities and included a proposal of a resolution and her art project “WHO says we need fresh air?!“
Marie contributed as a Citizen Journalist. Community News Commons an Online News Hub. Winnipeg, MB. 2013-2018/19
Marie, working in association with Marg Friesen of EHA-MB, made a submission to include Environmental Sensitivities in changes to policy for the Accessibility for Manitobans Act under Review. While Manitoba did not include the new information in relation to Environmental Sensitivities, Ontario did chose to do so. Winnipeg, MB. 2018
Marie presented to End Homelessness Winnipeg. Winnipeg, MB. 2018
Marie presented to the City Access Advisory Committee for the City of Winnipeg. Winnipeg MB. May 2016