For Immediate Release                                                                                       April 30th, 2009

(QUEEN’S PARK) – The Liberal government is not doing enough to protect kids, that’s what Lisa MacLeod, the Conservative MPP for Nepean-Carleton said after her child protection bill was defeated by the government.

“The Liberals could have banned sexual ads depicting or intended for our youth and they refused to,” said MacLeod.  “They’ve ignored repeated calls to better educate children on abuse prevention and they’ve stonewalled independent officials oversight of children’s aids societies.”

“Clearly children aren’t central to this government,” commented NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo.

Had the Children’s Safety and Protection Rights Act, 2008 passed it would have:

o       Expanded Christopher’s Law (Sex Offender Registry), to include child abuse.

o       Strengthened the Provincial Offences Act so child abusers may be detained and unable to contact their victims.

o       Banned advertising that contains images of a sexual nature of kids 16 and under.

o       Amended the Education Act to create November 20th as Children’s Day in Schools, establish mandatory reporting and banning corporal punishment.

o       Expanded the role of the Ombudsman and

o       Expanded the role of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth.

“The Liberals cared more about partisanship than they did about tough new measures that would protect Ontario’s kids,” said MacLeod.  “I’m disappointed but not surprised.”

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