THUNDER BAY – Local voices are adding their support to a province-wide effort to keep the Ford government from doing away with the Ontario child advocate.
A series of rallies were held in Thunder Bay on Thursday to coincide with a simultaneous demonstration at Queen’s Park in Toronto to protest the Progressive Conservative government’s decision to axe the provincial children and youth advocate’s office.
Debbie Jensen, a child and youth worker who helped organize the local events, said the risks youth are currently experiencing in Thunder Bay is concerning.
“Marginalized children are the voices that are heard the least,” Jensen said. “They are the children that are actually trying to speak out the most. They need a voice. They need the support of an outside agency that has power to make their voices heard.”
The first gathering was held outside the Thunder Bay Courthouse, where the Seven Youth Inquest was held from October 2015 to June 2016 that examined the deaths of Indigenous students living in Thunder Bay while attending high school away from their home communities.
Subsequent demonstrations were held at Confederation College, Lakehead University and the Intercity Shopping Centre.
Jensen acknowledged the value of the advocate’s office might not be completely appreciated by the general public.
“A lot of people don’t really understand the things that youth are experiencing,” Jensen said.
“If you don’t work directly with youth in the city or you don’t work directly with vulnerable youth in the city, especially kids in care, you don’t really understand the significance of these children having a voice.”
In this month’s fall economic outlook, Premier Doug Ford's government announced their intention to eliminate the independent advocate's office and transfer responsibility and oversight to the provincial ombudsman’s office.
The advocate’s office, which had a site in Thunder Bay, has been involved with Indigenous youth in Northwestern Ontario through the Feathers of Hope initiative that brought together youth from a number of communities to discuss issues they’re facing and potential solutions.
The office has also been a prominent voice for young people in the child welfare system and youth in custody.
Jayal Chung, who volunteers with youth, said she feels the closure of the office is a tactic to silence youth.
“The office really has the expertise to speak out and support investigations for children and youth in care,” Chung said. “There are many youth and young people who inspire me here, inspire hope and change.”
Chung said it’s important to stand up to show support and solidarity for those most affected.
“Youth really need to know that they’re not alone,” Chung said.
“I think especially First Nations youth coming from other communities, they have to leave their families. There’s been a lot of loss in our community. It impacts people I know and sometimes it’s very hard to speak out on this issue and also other issues.”
Nishnawbe Aski Nation issued a statement expressing support for those rallying against the closure of the office.
Cassandra Spade, a 23-year-old from Mishkeegogamang First Naton, was at the Queen’s Park rally.
“To have an independent body such as the Ontario Child Advocate, it ensures that the systemic gaps and failures within the provincial child welfare system are not being overlooked or unnoticed,” Spade said in a statement.
