I rise this morning to express my strong support of my colleague’s private member’s Bill 99, Garrett’s Legacy Act, 2024. I thank the member from Hastings–Lennox and Addington for putting forth this bill, as it addresses the safety and well-being of children in Ontario—specifically, to enhance the safety measures of movable soccer goals used by the public. The act sets out specific requirements for the safe usage of these goals. It mandates inspections and establishes a mechanism for reporting non-compliance.

Sadly, young Garrett was not the only child who lost his life too early due to an avoidable, tragic accident.

In my riding of Newmarket–Aurora, young Jaime Palm, a 15-year-old girl, an athlete, a blossoming soccer and field hockey player and volleyball team player, died when a soccer net fell over and she was caught under the crossbar in 2014.

I want to recognize Robert Palm, Jaime’s father, who is here in the chamber today, and Jaime’s mom, Jacqui Palm, who could not be here today. But with all her strength, Jacqui provided a deputation in front of the Standing Committee on Social Policy last July 2023, when this bill was under review.

Speaker, children are supposed to enjoy the outdoors, play and make use of public amenities like parks, fields and soccer pitches. When these amenities which are meant to bring joy instead bring grief, we know that there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Today, we can take a step towards ensuring that such tragedy never happens again.

First and foremost, the act mandates that all movable soccer goals be placed on level surfaces and securely anchored in accordance with prescribed regulations. This provision ensures that the goals remain stable and significantly reduces the risk of them tipping over and causing injury. Moreover, the act empowers the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport to appoint inspectors to enforce these safety standards.

Another essential aspect of Bill 99 is the establishment of a compliance mechanism. This allows members of the public to report any non-compliance that they observe, ensuring that these safety concerns can be promptly addressed. It fosters a culture of accountability and vigilance, reinforcing our collective commitment to public safety.

The penalties outlined in the act for non-compliance serve as a deterrent, underscoring the seriousness of these requirements. By imposing fines for violations, we emphasize that the safety of our children and communities is non-negotiable.

I would like to quote Jaime’s mother, Jacqueline Palm, from her deputation to the Standing Committee on Social Policy:

“The soccer net that was above Jaime’s head fell on top of her and crushed and killed her. Had this net been properly secured after the lawn was cut, my daughter would still be with us today. This was a movable soccer net. Tragically, it had not been securely anchored....

“Losing Jaime as a result of a preventable, avoidable tragic accident is heartbreaking. Our lives will never be the same....

“It is our hope that this Bill 99 will help to prevent any other parents like Rob and myself from having to suffer the loss of a child in a completely senseless, avoidable way.”

Jacqui went on to say, “Please remember, over 40 children in North America since 1979 is the latest statistic; that’s 40 children’s lives too many. This bill needs to be passed.”

The passage of Bill 99 is not just about compliance with regulations; it is about honouring the memory of a young boy, Garrett, and a young girl, Jaime. It is about preventing future tragedies of this nature. It is about taking proactive measures to protect our children and ensuring that recreational activities remain safe and enjoyable.

I met Jacqui Palm close to nine years after her tragic loss of Jaime. As a mom, I felt the pain that Jacqui so evidently was carrying in her heart. As her member of provincial Parliament, I am honoured to stand in my place today and speak to this bill in its third reading.

I encourage every one of my colleagues in this chamber today to support this bill. Together, we can protect the innocence of our youth and prevent any unnecessary family grieving, community grieving and provincial grieving.

Let’s honour Garrett and Jaime’s legacy and make our province a safer place for everyone.

While Bill 188 introduces crucial compliance measures, can the government guarantee that it will be accompanied by increased resources for the children’s aid society and other child welfare agencies?

The reason I ask this is the service providers in Niagara and the children’s aid society do so much and have to do a lot of heavy lifting, but they are only as effective as we are able to provide them with the resources to do that hard work. Without proper funding from this government, how can we ensure these measures will be effectively implemented to protect our most vulnerable children?