Today, the Honourable Jill Dunlop, Associate Minister of Children and Women's Issues, announced the government’s strategy to Redesign the Child Welfare System (CW Redesign) by focusing directly on the needs of children and youth and creating solid foundations to support strong families.

This is a result of over a year of Ministry engagement with youth, families/caregivers, Indigenous communities and representatives across various sectors including child welfare. The Halton Children’s Aid Society applauds the government’s thoughtful stakeholder engagement process.

The relentless acts of violence and disrespect inflicted upon Black people are compounded by centuries of physical, social, and psychological anti-Black racism that has been normalized in our white supremacist society. As a Children’s Aid Society, we share in that history.

The Halton Children’s Aid Society re-dedicates itself to the development of a Declaration of Equity and Inclusion that moves our Society from words to real change. Change that can be seen and felt by our staff and the children, youth and families in our community.

We are committed to working with other children’s aid societies and community leaders to systemically change the racist structures and cultures that exist and move this work forward together.

At this time of great difficulty, our hearts and minds are with everyone who is experiencing loss and pain. May they find strength, hope and peace in the days ahead.