MEDIA RELEASE
Family Day Statement from Irwin Elman, Don Valley West NDP
Release date; February 19, 2022
RE: We Need a Government that Honours Family in all its Forms
A Family Day Weekend statement from Irwin Elman, NDP Candidate, Don Valley West
“Family” in Ontario comes in a variety of forms – biological families, kin families, adoptive families, foster families, chosen families. For all of us our sense of our family is constantly evolving, informed by our experiences, relationships, culture and beliefs.
“For many, families are an anchor and provide an essential sense of belonging, but far too often, this isn’t the case,” said Irwin Elman, NDP candidate for Don Valley West and former Ontario Child Advocate, “Throughout my career, I have witnessed the tragic consequences of governments that fail to provide the conditions and support for all families to thrive.”
Ontario needs a government that works for all families. This has never been more important than today. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the stress on families, particularly those representing equity-seeking groups, Indigenous, Black and those living in poverty. At every turn the current government has failed our province’s families.
Families in Don Valley West and across Ontario cannot be expected to cope without access to affordable childcare. In Ontario, hundreds of thousands of caregivers often work two jobs and still live under the poverty line. In Don Valley West, these caregivers courageously fight to make ends meet.
55,000 Ontario families live without support for children with autism, languishing on waitlists for years.
25,000 families wait and wait and wait for mental health support for their children, who are struggling.
In Don Valley West, as across the province, the never-ending wait tears families apart. The list of challenges goes on and on.
“On this Family Day,” said Elman, “I imagine a government that says to families, however constituted, “Thank you. You will have what you need to do right by your kids. We’ve got you.” This is the province I want to live in. This is the government I want to be part of. Thisis why I run.”
For more information contact:
Irwin Elman
Web: www.IrwinElman.OntarioNDP.ca
Facebook: IrwinForDonValleyWest
Instagram: @ElmanIrwin
Twitter: @IrwinElman
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