| OPPOSITION CRITIC FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH CALLS ON MCGUINTY LIBERALS TO CRACK DOWN ON ABUSE AT PROVINCIALLY LICENSED DAYCARES |
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| Sunday, 27 May 2007 19:00 |
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MPP Lisa MacLeod says McGuinty campaigning on taxpayers’ dime while government continues to neglect its responsibilities to protect children from abuse QUEEN’S PARK, May 28, 2007 – Ontario PC Critic for Children and Youth Lisa MacLeod today called on the McGuinty government to crack down aggressively on provincially-licenced day care facilities with histories of putting children at risk. “We are dealing with the physical safety and emotional well-being of our children,” said MacLeod. “We cannot afford a government that puts vote-getting before children’s safety.” MacLeod sent a letter to the provincial government as a result of an in-depth investigation reported in the May 28, 2007 Toronto Star, which reveals that many provincially-licensed day cares continue to operate despite allegations of third-world health and hygiene conditions, or allegations of outright physical and emotional abuse of children. "While McGuinty and his ministers spend months on ‘novelty cheque’ campaign tours of the province, for the second time in eight months we’ve learned his government has dropped the ball monitoring the people and organizations who are supposed to keep our children safe and cared-for,” said MacLeod. “The McGuinty Liberals already dropped the ball when the Auditor General revealed children being put at risk at some Children’s Aid Societies. Now, we learn that the government often turns a blind eye to reports of miserable conditions at government-licenced daycare facilities.” MacLeod's letter to the government is attached. - 30 - For more information: Stephen Gilman, Executive Assistant Nepean: 613-823-2116 Queen’s Park: 416-325-6351 Cell: 613-297-2051 Web: www.lisamacleod.com |