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Wilson Calls on Premier to Address Children's Aid Shortfalls |
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Simcoe-Grey MPP asks constituents to sign petition
(Queen’s Park) Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson wrote an open letter today to Premier Dalton McGuinty asking him to personally review the dire fiscal situation at the Children’s Aid Society of Simcoe County.
“Dalton McGuinty needs to know that 399 at-risk children are days away
being put into an even tighter situation,” said Wilson. “McGuinty
needs to intervene and provide leadership in this crisis.”
Wilson is also encouraging constituents to sign a petition that calls
upon the government to address the situation and ensure that the
province continues to provide for families and children who need
support.
The petition can be found online at www.jimwilsonmpp.com. A copy of Wilson’s letter to Mr. McGuinty can be found below.
OPEN LETTER
February 1, 2010
The Honourable Dalton McGuinty, MPP
Premier of Ontario
Room 281, Main Legislative Building
Queen’s Park
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1A8
Dear Premier:
I am writing to draw your attention to the urgent fiscal crisis at the Children’s Aid Society of the County of Simcoe (CAS).
Beginning this month, the CAS will no longer be able to cover its
expenses to meet the needs of the 399 children in its care. All
existing cash flow allocations, including a $2 million line of credit,
have been exhausted, and now the volunteer board is struggling to make
extremely difficult decisions on how to handle the families and
children they are legislated to serve.
In July 2009 the CAS received a funding allocation that was 10.4
percent less than what it received the previous year. This reduction
in funding was significantly greater than most of the other 53
Children’s Aid Societies in the province.
Today the CAS is in a position where they are preparing to inform
foster parents and other vendors that they have no ability to pay
them. As you can see, this is a very serious problem. The situation
is so bad that news reports suggest the County of Simcoe is considering
providing a loan to the CAS for a short-term fix to the situation that
your government has so far refused to address. No other level of
government should have to consider paying bills for services that your
government is legislated to deliver through the Child and Family
Services Act.
I am asking you to personally review this matter immediately. The
residents of Simcoe County deserve leadership and communication from
your government. They have a right to know that you care.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your timely response.
Sincerely,
Jim Wilson, MPP
Simcoe-Grey
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