Queen’s Park– During Question Period, MPP Jim McDonell highlighted that Bill 54, the Right to Care Act, is yet to be examined by the Standing Committee on Social Policy.

“The Right to Care Act would allow Children’s Aid Societies to assist 16 and 17 year olds who require their services for the first time” MPP Jim McDonell stated.  “The current framework discriminates against this demographic, despite our obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Sixteen and seventeen-year olds are, thus, too old to enter the child protection and care system, and too young to access most of the government services aimed at vulnerable adults. This places them at a higher risk of homelessness, poverty, poor school performance or dropping out, and being a victim of violent crime. Today, they have nowhere to turn for help. They need our action”

Removing this barrier to CAS service access was a key request by the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies during the 2015 Pre-Budget Consultations and by many who provided feedback on the Child and Family Services Act Review earlier this year.

“When Bill 54 came for Second Reading in the House, the Minister of Children and Youth Services stated that a review of the relevant legislation was ongoing” MPP Jim McDonell commented. “The review is complete and the report of recommendations is public. The solution to the recommendation of raising the age of protection enjoys all-party support and is before a Committee.  We need the Government on board in order to secure the Bill’s rapid progress through Committee and Third Reading”.