October 13, 2006

Hon. Dalton McGuinty, MPP
Premier of Ontario
Room 281, Main Legislative Building
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1A4


Dear Premier,

Today, Defence for Children International-Canada (DCI-Canada) wrote to all Ontario MPP's, urging them to ensure that you keep your promise to create an independent Child and Youth Advocate. A copy of this letter is enclosed.

Also enclosed is DCI-Canada's recent report, Child Advocacy Renewal in Ontario, which proposes a nine-point plan to advance the creation of an independent Child and Youth Advocate in Ontario. Children and youth in Ontario have waited long enough for an Advocate with appropriate powers and independence. It is time for our political leaders to demonstrate their commitment to the rights of children. As premier, you have a special role to play in the completion of this project. We need your support to ensure that this important promise is kept.

Specifically, we are asking you to:

• Pledge your support for the passage of legislation to establish an independent Child and Youth Advocate before the fall 2007 election.
  
• Take responsibility for your commitment to introduce legislation to renew and strengthen the Child and Youth Advocate.
  
• Subject to an appropriate study in committee, ensure the swift passage of legislation to establish an independent Child and Youth Advocate.
  
• When the legislation is before a committee, work in a cooperative and non-partisan spirit to improve the bill, where needed.
  

The creation of an independent Child and Youth Advocate will help to protect the rights of young people in government care in Ontario-one of our province's most vulnerable groups. These young people are depending on your leadership, and your commitment to their rights and safety.

If you require further information please contact Matthew Geigen-Miller, a DCI-Canada board member and our lead researcher on this issue. Matthew may be reached by e-mail: matthew@dci-canada.org. We would be pleased to meet with you and/or representatives from your office in the near future to discuss this important issue.


Yours sincerely,