This episode of Your Right to Speak is a press conference recording that took place on November 29, 2018 organized by the Ontario Children’s Advocacy Coalition. The press conference was in response to a recent decision by the Provincial Government. Below is a press release from the Ontario Children’s Advocacy Coalition regarding the Government’s Decision:
“On November 15, 2018, the Ontario Government announced its intention to discontinue the Ontario Child Advocate’s Office (OCA; formerly known as Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth). This Office ensures young people have a voice about things that affect their lives. This decision is especially devastating for young people living on the margins, Black youth, Indigenous youth, young people living in the care of public institutions like child welfare or youth justice and those with special challenges or disabilities.
The current Ontario government has said that they will transfer some of the functions of the Office of the Child Advocate to the Ombudsman of Ontario, a much larger office that deals with consumer complaints by adults in a wide range of public services, but that has no experience dealing with child welfare, child and youth mental health and youth justice sectors. Young people involved in those sectors are unfamiliar with the Ombudsman, and there are no opportunities for a collective voice. The Child Advocates Office would be subsumed under an institution that deals solely with adults. An independent Office must be maintained to ensure the appropriate support and care of Ontario’s most vulnerable children and youth.
Presently, the Provincial Child Advocate was chosen and appointed by an all-party Committee of the legislature and he reports directly to the legislature through the speaker. This is to ensure that his Office remains independent and is not unduly influenced by the government or at risk of reprisals for releasing reports to the public that are critical of the government’s performance, particularly as it relates to children in its care. Bill 57 introduced by the Progressive Conservative Government would cut three legislative officers which includes the Ontario Child Advocate. Disrupting the independence and authority of the Child Advocate who represents the most vulnerable children and youth in the province without thoughtful consideration of the facts or thorough public consultation demonstrates an unconscionable breach of power.”
Impact in Child Welfare with Sheldon from Our Voice Our Turn
Four Perspectives on CYC Professionalization: A Panel Discussion
Emancipatory Youth Practice with Dr. Kim Snow
Refugee Children and the Isibindi Model with Monika Sandvik-Nylund
Discussion of Child/Youth Rights with the Ontario Provincial Advocate Irwin Elman
Characteristics of Child and Youth Care Work with Thom Garfat
Your Right to Speak with Sammy D’Agostino
…But Names Will Really Hurt Me, The Impact of Language with Jaymie Mitchell
Restraints in Residences, with Erika van der Grinten
Peer Relationships in Residential Care, with Kelly Capewell
Emerging Theories and Practices in Child and Youth Care with Kiaras Gharabaghi
Intimacy and Safety in Residential Care Relationships, with Phil Coady
Culturally Relevant Arts Education with Mary Stone Hanley- a Re-Cast
Kevin Pyle Exposes the War on Fun
Being an Adult Advocate with Heather Sago and Aurrora De Monte
Supporting Young Males with Dr. Siegi Schuler
Gay and in Care, One Person’s Story
Death and Dying Pt. 2: The Death of a Child with Dr. Mary Vachon
Death and Dying Pt. 1: Death of a Caregiver with Dr. Mary Vachon
Looked after Children in Scotland: A conversation with John Paul Fitzpatrick
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