SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

Ontario Assembly

43rd Parl. 1st Sess.
April 22, 2024 10:15AM
  • Apr/22/24 3:30:00 p.m.

Yes, I support it. I’ve been fighting for it for years. I’m happy to see that the compliance levels are raising—from $1,000 to $250,000. Like I said, this should have been done a long time ago, but we’re here now.

I’m still concerned about the amount of inspectors and when the inspectors will be visiting. Will those inspections be thorough, and will young people be talked to—to know that they feel safe, that they are able to use their voice about whether this extra legislation is working on their behalf?

Now we’re seeing, year after year, more children fall into a disrepaired state of affairs within our child welfare sector.

Yes, as I have said throughout my debate portion as well as for years, I have been supporting that call being put into legislation. I’m happy to see that it is here today.

I agree with the member that it is absolutely not fair for someone to be judged as an adult for what they did when they were 12, 13, 14 in care and in a bad place in life as a child. Neither he nor I would want our time in school—I think the example was smoking in the parking lot when my parents catch me. That shouldn’t be put into my file for the rest of my life. That is what is happening with these crown wards when they age out.

I’m happy to see these revisions put into place. I think it’s a long time coming. I congratulate the welfare PAC for all of their hard work in making sure it’s here today in legislation.

By moving to a not-for-profit system, ensuring that we truly become the parents of these kids and have people in position with education and requirements and regulations to actually manage how the group homes are going to be run, it would be a much better outcome for the kids who have no choice but to live in these group homes.

As Ontarians, I truly believe that we can do better in making sure that—a not-for-profit system would save us from allowing kids to end up as cash cows.

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