| LIBERALS ABANDONED MINISTRY POLICIES ON CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETIES |
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| Monday, 04 December 2006 19:00 |
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Opposition Critic for Children and Youth, Lisa MacLeod says minister’s neglect amounts to ‘trading kids for cars’. QUEEN’S PARK, December 5, 2006 – The Auditor General of Ontario revealed today that the McGuinty Liberals discontinued reviews of service and financial data for Children’s Aid Societies in the 2005/2006 fiscal year. “The government stops reviewing spending, and we end up with managers getting $60,000 cars,” said Lisa MacLeod, MPP. “$60,000 would pay for foster care for six children for one year. That is what’s so heartbreaking.” According to the Auditor General’s report, released today, revealed a wide variety of questionable expenditures by Children’s Aid Society staff, including meals at high-end restaurants, $2,000 gym memberships, all-inclusive stays at Caribbean resorts, $2,400 personal trainers, and car washes at $150 each. The report also revealed that the Ministry of Children and Youth Services abandoned reporting that had been in place as far back as 1998. “It was she that cancelled the reviews. It was she who ignored the reports. The Minister’s answers are devoid of all credibility,” said MacLeod, referring to the Liberal Minister of Children and Youth Services. - 30 - For more information, contact: Stephen Gilman, Executive Assistant Phone: 613-823-2116 Cell: 613-297-2051 |