Kenora–Rainy River NDP MPP Howard Hampton yesterday delivered the following statement:

“The McGuinty Liberals are engaged in a bizarre exercise in media spin. As children's aid societies across Ontario are required by law to extend health and protection to children at risk, the McGuinty Liberals are cutting the CAS budgets.

Ontario’s NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says the McGuinty government’s $4.2-million in funding cuts to First Nations child welfare agencies must be reversed.

Today at the Ontario Legislature, Horwath called on Premier Dalton McGuinty to place a moratorium on any further cuts. Ontario’s native leaders have expressed alarm say the cuts are creating a crisis in the ability of agencies to serve the influx of children in their care.

Kenora—Rainy River NDP MPP Howard Hampton says the McGuinty government will put needy children at risk if it continues to gut funding for the province’s Children’s Aid Societies (CAS).

Referring to the financial pressures being faced by the Rainy River CAS in his riding, Hampton asked for an explanation from Children and Youth Service Minister Deb Matthews during today’s Question Period.

NDP Leader and Hamilton Centre MPP Andrea Horwath says the McGuinty government is failing families and children with autism.

Today in Question Period, Horwath called on Children and Youth Services Minister Deb Matthews to review program funding for children like Sebastian Bunda, 6, who has severe autism, but is losing all his government-funded therapy.

Andrea Horwath, new Leader of Ontario’s NDP, called for an immediate review of the government’s Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities program to ensure that families who rely on support aren’t unfairly cut off.

NDP MPP Michael Prue (Beaches—East York) says Minister of Children and Youth Services Deb Matthews needs to meet with prospective Ontario parents affected by the bankruptcy of Cambridge-based Imagine Adoption at the earliest opportunity.