My response to the Childrens Advocates press conference this morning. November 28, 2014 NDP’s Taylor Supports Call for Amendments to Accountability Act Hamilton – Monique Taylor, MPP for Hamilton Mountain, today expressed deep disappointment that the Liberal government has chosen to ignore the advice and suggestions of Irwin Elman, Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth. “After presenting a private member’s bill twice to provide independent oversight to child welfare in Ontario and after hearing the government repeatedly say it wasn’t necessary, I was hopeful when they introduced legislation that would give that oversight to the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth,” said Taylor. “The bill they presented wasn’t perfect by a long shot but I was hopeful that amendments could be made that would give the Advocate the necessary tools to fulfill his responsibilities for oversight. Today we hear from the Advocate that the majority of his suggested amendments are being rejected,” she continued. As reported by the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth today, the bill, if passed without amendment would make Ontario’s Provincial Advocate the only child and youth advocate in Canada with limited jurisdictional powers for conducting investigations. Further, the Provincial Advocate would have less authority and tools to carry out his mandate compared with the other six independent Officers of the Legislature. “There is still an opportunity to amend this very flawed legislation when the committee meets on Monday and I hope the government reconsiders its position, listens to the Provincial Advocate and agrees to giving him the tools he needs to do his job,” said Taylor. -30- Media contact: Norm MacAskill (289) 442-3059
Posted on: Sat, 29 Nov 2014 05:45:11 +0000
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