| ONTARIO MINISTRIES PUT TURF BATTLES BEFORE CHILDREN’S WELL-BEING |
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| Monday, 07 May 2007 19:00 |
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McGuinty’s Liberals have no strategy to put children’s mental health providers on stable footing QUEEN’S PARK, May 8, 2007 – While the McGuinty Liberals continue their pre-election strategy of making one-time, short-term announcements at flashy press conferences, Opposition Critic for Children and Youth Lisa MacLeod marked Children’s Mental Health Week by highlighting the real weaknesses in Ontario’s approach to children’s mental health. With responsibility for children and youth divided between the ministries of Health, Education, Community and Social Services, Corrections, as well as the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, MacLeod pointed out how fragmented funding causes instability and high turnover rates in the children’s mental health sector. “The McGuinty government should be looking not only at funding announcements,” said the MPP for Nepean-Carleton, “but also at developing, adopting, and most of all implementing an overall children’s mental health strategy by giving clear authority to his Minister and by breaking down the ministerial silos of his government.” MacLeod was critical of the McGuinty government’s unwillingness to empower the Minister of Children & Youth Services to implement an overall children’s mental health strategy to serve the 1 in 5 children in Ontario who are living with a mental illness. MacLeod is also critical that funding for children’s mental health has not been centralized under one ministry. “We need to think outside the box,” said MacLeod, “so these kids won’t feel like they’re stuck in one.” - 30 - For more information: Stephen Gilman, Executive Assistant Queen’s Park: 416-325-6351 Nepean-Carleton: 613-823-2116 Cell: 613-297-2051 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |