I’m very pleased to welcome representatives from Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and the different Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada from across the province who are here for their advocacy day. Welcome to Queen’s Park. It’s wonderful to have you.

A very warm welcome to the representatives from the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies who are here today in recognition of the 10th anniversary of Children and Youth in Care Day—a day to honour and celebrate current and former kids in care across our province. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I’d like to welcome Kevin Post, a constituent from Aurora–Oak Ridges–Richmond Hill, who is also here today with the association of Ontario architects. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Good morning, colleagues. I’d like to welcome Alina Cameron, Tony Stravato, Kate Dudley-Logue, Bruce McIntosh and the many families from the Ontario Autism Coalition who are here for their advocacy day. Welcome to Queen’s Park and I look forward to meeting with them.

I’d like to welcome from my riding Marian Reich, a member of the kidney alliance foundation and a kidney donor herself. Welcome to Queen’s Park, Marian.

I wasn’t here on the day when the pages were being introduced, so I want to welcome and thank Isolde from the riding of Aurora–Oak Ridges–Richmond Hill—and, of course, all the pages—for the great work that she does. But since she’s from Aurora–Oak Ridges–Richmond Hill, I wanted to thank her and welcome her to Queen’s Park.

Thank you so much for everything you’re doing. See you back in the riding, okay?

Dress Purple Day reminds all of us that we all have an important role in promoting the safety and well-being of children, youth, families and their communities. Every year, children’s aid societies and Indigenous child and family well-being agencies, along with local and provincial partners, wear purple to remind people across Ontario that support is available. Children’s aid societies are key partners in child welfare delivery—not only on Dress Purple Day but every single day.

Our government has been collaborating with our partners to redesign Ontario’s child welfare system. We’re transforming child and family services to make sure that all children, youth and their families receive the help they need to be safe and stay together. Our children and youth in care deserve a level playing field where they are all set up for success in adulthood. That’s why, earlier this year, our government announced an investment of $170 million over three years in the Ready, Set, Go Program. This program provides youth transitioning out of care with earlier and more substantive supports to develop the life skills and mentorship experiences they need to pursue post-secondary education, skilled trades training and employment opportunities. This will help youth build stability in their lives and thrive after care.

Speaker, we have heard for many years that the approach to supporting Indigenous children, youth and families needs to evolve to reflect the central role that First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities have in the well-being of their children and families. In March 2022, Wabaseemoong Independent Nations, Ontario and Canada signed a trilateral coordination agreement in respect of child and family services. The agreement supports the implementation of the Wabaseemoong Independent Nations customary care code. This was the first coordination agreement signed in Ontario. It’s the second agreement in Canada since the federal legislation, An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, came into force in 2020.

On March 31, 2023, a second coordination agreement, between Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, or KI, Ontario and Canada, was executed to support the implementation of KI’s child and family services law, which was the first in Treaty 9 territory. I was so proud to attend this historic event in person. Alongside my colleague the Minister of Indigenous Affairs, we witnessed the hard work and dedication of the KI community first-hand. The signing of coordination agreements such as these helps to support Indigenous governments to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services, and foster reconciliation overall.

In addition to this work, we launched a legislative review of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, the CYFSA, which came into force in April 2018. This act is an important one. It governs a range of youth services such as adoption, child welfare and protection services, Indigenous child and family services, out-of-home care services and youth justice services. We need to make sure it continues to promote the best interests, protection and well-being of children, youth and families. We met with sector and community partners, First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and children, youth and families with lived experience, and I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the individuals and families from across the province who took the time to provide their feedback. The insight and perspectives they shared will be compiled into a report that we will make available to the public. This will guide our next steps as we continue to improve the child welfare system.

Our government’s vision is for an Ontario where all children, youth and families, including those receiving child welfare services, have the supports they need to succeed and thrive. Together with the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies, the Association of Native Child and Family Services Agencies of Ontario, individual children’s aid societies and local and provincial partners, we are strengthening families and communities across the province.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank you once again, and I want to thank all my colleagues in the House, for helping raise awareness about this important day. And let’s remember that we all have an important role in supporting children, youth and families on not only Dress Purple Day but every single day.

Very happy to introduce Sarah Klodnicki and Myra Zettel. They’re the parents of children with autism and here from the Balance Support and Self Care Studios, where they support parents and caregivers of disabled and neurodiverse children and youth. I also would like to welcome the Ontario Autism Coalition, many of whom I’ve met before and look forward to seeing again. Welcome to Queen’s Park, everyone.

I’d like to introduce L’Arche Daybreak to Queen’s Park today: executive director Trish Glennon; regional director Jeff Gilbreath; and core members and my very dear friends, Amanda Winnington-lngram, Kim Lageer, Darryl Dickson. Welcome to Queen’s Park. Thanks very much for being here.

I’d like to welcome Lorris Herenda, CEO of Yellow Brick House. Thank you very much for all the work that you’re doing. Welcome to Queen’s Park.