Child Abuse Monument

WE NEED HELP NOW!

A recent Toronto Star article reported that the government of ONTARIO DECLINED THE CHILD ABUSE MONUMENT FOR QUEEN'S PARK.

Metro News: http://bit.ly/1fHeg9j
Toronto Star: http://bit.ly/1kgXKgy CLICK TO

Though the Toronto Star has headlined the Monument as declined the Ministry's current perspective is quite positive and supportive for the Monument. The rejection rationale from Minister Teresa Piruzza, MPP at the Ministry of Children and Youth Services can be viewed as very good for moving forward with donating the "Reaching Out: Child Abuse Monument" for placement at College Street and University Avenue. The Ministry commented positively on the "gesture" of the work.

The fundamental objection of the Minister was: "Due to the high cost of initial and ongoing government funding that would be required to place and maintain your monument on government property, we are unable to provide a location for the monument".

Additionally comment was made that, "the Ministry's priority has to be supporting children and youth in need of care with the most appropriate use of our limited resources for programs and services".

The objections of high initial and ongoing government funding costs seems to not recognize our repeated offer in submitted proposals for us to pay for the substantial costs of the Monument's construction, its placement, site amenities and a long-term care endowment.

Through its effectiveness at healing and education, the Monument itself is a program and service resource. In this manner it benefits the purpose and priorities of the Ministry of supporting children and youth in need. It will do so for centuries without demands on the Government's limited resources.

Moving forward with a positive heart, I expect the Premier and Minister to appreciate the enormous social value and low Government cost to receive and allow the donated gift of the "Reaching Out: Child Abuse Monument to be placed at College Street and University Avenue.

WE NEED HELP NOW! LET YOUR MPP KNOW THAT THE CHILD ABUSE MONUMENT DOES NOT HAVE HIGH INITIAL OR ONGOING COSTS TO THE GOVERNMENT; AND THAT THE MONUMENT HAS ENORMOUS SOCIAL VALUE IN PROGRAM AND SERVICES FOR HEALING AND PREVENTION THE TRAGEDY OF CHILD ABUSE.

ACT NOW! TELL YOUR MPP TO LET PREMIER KATHLEEN WYNNE KNOW THAT SHE IS THE ONE WHO CAN MAKE THE MONUMENT A REALITY AS A RESOURCE OF HEALING AND EDUCATION FOR THE PEOPLE OF ONTARIO.

Ontario declines child abuse monument for Queen’s Park After spending decades crafting a massive monument to child abuse survivors — with the help of many victims themselves — Michael Irving has been told the government will not place his creation at Queen’s Park. The monument is comprised of…