February 24, 2010
Thornhill MPP Shurman slams Minister for shortchanging local agencies
(Toronto) Today at Queen?s Park, Progressive Conservative MPP Peter Shurman (Thornhill) called on the Minister of Children and Youth Services to properly fund children?s mental health programs in York Region.
During Question Period, Shurman asked Laurel Broten, Minister of Children and Youth Services, why the agencies providing children?s mental health services in York Region receive only $127 per child while the same agencies in the rest of the GTA receive $221 per child in funding.
The current funding allows the children?s mental health agencies in York Region to accommodate only 16 per cent of the identified need.
?That means that 84 of out every 100 children in York Region needing mental health services are going without. That?s 84 out of a 100 families being torn apart with no help in sight.? Shurman pointed out.
The Minister did not answer the question and refused to commit to proper funding for children?s mental health services in York Region.
?The people of York Region are tired of being treated like the poor cousins of the GTA by this Liberal government,? Shurman said.
-30-
For more information, please call:Debbie Osske, Executive AssistantOffice of Peter Shurman, MPP (Thornhill)(416) 325-2505, debbie.osske@pc.ola.org