Youth in care talk politics and explore Queen’s Park for Youth Civics Day

Youth Civics Day 2016_en

Over 150 youth in care from across Ontario gathered at Queen’s Park on May 10, 2016, for a day of education, networking, and fun as part of the fourth annual Youth Civics Day hosted by OACAS’ YouthCAN team.

Watch this 2-minute video now to see highlights of their exciting day.

After meeting with representatives from the Parliamentary Protocol Office for the Legislature to talk about how youth in Grade 7 through university can participate in legislative proceedings, they were greeted by the Honourable Tracy MacCharles, Minister of Children and Youth Services, as well as Opposition Critics Silvia Jones and Monique Taylor. The Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, Irwin Elman, also shared words of inspiration and encouragement. Over lunch, youth met and mingled with their peers and elected representatives.

Minister MacCharles introduced youth and staff during the visit to the public gallery prior to Question Period.

Youth Civics Day is child welfare’s way of commemorating the third Children and Youth in Care Day. CASs have been celebrating this day since it was recommended in the report from the Provincial Advocate’s 2011 Youth Leaving Care Hearings and enacted into law in 2014.

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