ON THE CHILD WELFARE & IMMIGRATION COE

MPP Anand’s thirtieth Members’ Statement was on the topic of “CWICoE”, delivered on 17 September 2020.

See full transcript below:

“Mr. Speaker, imagine a 15-year-old child, a son of a Canadian citizen, who has been living in Canada for over 10 years trying to become financially independent, who has a job but cannot work legally; or a 14-year-old girl, who was sent to Canada by an adult relative to live with another relative in Canada, supposedly to get a better education and a better life, but who has actually been trafficked. We wonder what happened with these children. Thanks to the Child Welfare Immigration Centre of Excellence, they both are safe. These are just some examples from 900-plus referrals received by the centre in the last two years.

Launched in 2018 and based in Mississauga–Malton, the Child Welfare Immigration Centre of Excellence is part of Peel CAS, the first of its kind, to help all children’s aid societies across Ontario to address immigration issues. Just in this short period of time, the centre has supported 23 Canadian children to return home safely from 13 countries, and supported 83 children from 61 countries who came to Ontario unaccompanied and separated from their parents.

I would like to thank our Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues, Minister Jill Dunlop, for your tireless efforts and announcing an annual investment of $200,000 for this program. This investment will ensure that these children have the support they need for building a strong future in our province.

And to the CEO, Rav Bains, and the dedicated staff at Peel CAS, I want to say a big thank you for making a difference in the lives of these children and making Mississauga–Malton your home. I wish you blessings and success in supporting our communities forever.”