| ONTARIO’S CHILDREN DESERVE BETTER THAN LIBERAL SMOKE AND MIRRORS |
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| Tuesday, 10 April 2007 19:00 |
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Opposition Critic Lisa MacLeod sets minister straight on Liberal government record QUEEN’S PARK, April 11, 2007 – Following another speech from the Liberal Children & Youth Minister patting the government on the back for its recent “novelty cheque tour” of Ontario, Opposition Children & Youth Critic Lisa MacLeod today reminded the Legislature about the McGuinty government’s true record on protecting Ontario’s children. “The Minister for Children and Youth Services has recently been on a rampage of feel good announcements,” said MacLeod. “Though I note each announcement has achieved very few real results.” Three and a half years after promising to be on the leading edge when it came to providing opportunities to Ontario’s youth during the 2003 election campaign, McGuinty and his Children & Youth Minister have been touring Ontario to make pre-election youth employment announcements. “Summer job placements for Ontario’s youth have been around for quite some time,” said MacLeod. “It is hardly a feather in the crown of the McGuinty Liberals.” MacLeod listed more of the McGuinty government’s failures for Ontario’s Children & Youth: A lack of opportunities and incentives for youth in rural communities where jobs are disappearing under this government. A lack of sustainable funding for children’s mental health, which experts say will lead to lay offs of key mental health workers. The Auditor General’s report on waste and mismanagement within Children’s Aid Societies. The Ontario Child Benefit, which does not come into full effect until after the next two elections. The government’s reluctance to support the mental health needs of children of military personnel serving overseas. “Children and youth in Ontario deserve more than phoney window dressing, feel good announcements and smoke and mirrors,” said MacLeod. “They deserve better and they deserve real results for the real issues that they have to face.” - 30 - For more information contact: Stephen Gilman, Executive Assistant Phone: 613-823-2116 Cell: 613-297-2051 |