Funding cuts threaten needy kids

News Release
Howard Hampton, M.P.P.

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.
“Why is the McGuinty government undermining the Family and Children’s Services of the District of Rainy River?” Hampton asked Matthews pointedly.
“The Family and Children’s Services of the District of Rainy River has been put in a very difficult financial situation because your ministry, mid-year, cut their budget by $400,000 on a full-year budget of only $3 million.”
Hampton outlined the impact the cuts will have.
“This means that this agency, despite having had a balanced budget for the last three years, will not have the money to provide services for children in need over the last three months (of the year),” he said.
Hampton noted that Rainy River isn’t the only CAS facing the funding crunch and read from a recent letter sent from the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies to the Premier: “Currently the government’s funding strategy for CASs threatens to undermine their capacity to protect children and meet even the minimum standards of the Child and Family Services Act. The negative impact of this funding strategy, cutting back money mid-year on all CASs has been enormous. It is estimated that one fifth of the 53 CASs in Ontario will be insolvent by the end of the year. Operations at some may not be sustainable for the next few weeks.”
Ironically, the issue was raised on the same day that members from all parties delivered statements marking Child Abuse Prevention Month. During her statement, Matthews paid tribute to the work of the CAS – the same CAS that are being undermined by the government’s funding decisions.