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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2015-11-25, Page 13Wednesday, November 25, 2015 • News Record 13 Provincial advocate's listening tour heartbreaking but hopeful Laura Broadley Clinton News Record Many people don't have the emotional stamina to do the work that Irwin Elman was tasked with last week. In his role as provincial advocate for children and youth, Elman went on a "lis- tening tour" across the prov- ince from Nov. 15 - 23. In its second year, the tour is meant as a way to hear what children and youth are expe- riencing in the province's mental health facilities, child welfare agencies, youth jus- tice facilities, First Nations communities, provincial demonstration schools and community treatment centres. "I've not had a meeting yet that wasn't really, in some ways, heartbreaking and in some ways hopeful," Elman said. Elman began the tour last year as a way to recognize the National Day of the Child (Nov 20) and the creation of the United Nations Conven- tion on the Rights of the Children. The convention. The convention is based on four principles: The best interests of the child should be the first consideration for actions that affect a child; all children have the right to life, survival and develop- ment; all children have the right to participate and all rights belong to all children without discrimination or exception. Every five years Canada reports to the UN Commit- tee of the Rights of the Chil- dren on its progress on implementing the conven- tion. In Canada's last report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child it received a score of 25 out of a possible 100 in the area of the enabling environment for the child, which ranked the country 137 out of 165. Elman's goal is to be the voice of the children and youth in the province's report, which he said in the clintonnewsrecord.com past has been done without consulting with the key demographic. As he sees it his job is to partner with the children and youth who are the most invisible to the province. They become invisible when there is an assumption that they're get- ting what they need without first talking with them, Elman explained. "For me to do that I really need to understand from their perspective, their lives, their experiences, what has been helpful and what could be more helpful" Elman said. Compared to last year's lis- tening tour report, Elman said the children and youth are feeling "as isolated as ever': Elman is trying to gain a partnership with the provin- cial government so that it might join him on his listen- ing tour next year or create one of its own. "I'm hoping they'll be happy to take my hand in partnership and do that together:' BUSINESS DIRECTORY To advertise in this BUSINESS DIRECTORY Please call Dawn Johnston 519-482-3443 THEE SERVICE • Bucket Truck Service ,.• Tree Trimming/Removal • Stump Grinding • Free Estimates Est. 1998 CLINTON, ON I Dave Bernard To advertise in this BUSINESS DIRECTORY Please call Dawn Johnston 519-482-3443 Our business is built on SERVICE ENERGY HEATING • AIR CONDITIONING • ELECTRICAL :AL PL[JMi ING JEFF WISE 262 Bayfield R ad, Clinton • 519-482-701 32 Dewe 7ae#t CONCRETE FORMING Ci MIVER CIA L • RESIDE, T!1 1. • Fburwf lErti'I ° Floor Fiith3i Dg ■ Cirru[ar Tanks. SacridyFich YL°ull FREE ESTMATES RfOr3 Myth h 519-123-9971 EA 5.23-90 -1 To advertise in this BUSINESS DIRECTORY Please call Dawn Johnston 519-482-3443 STUMP GRINDER Reasonable Rates Small stump grinder to get into back yards. No need for trucks to drive on your lawn. 519-524-0303 EIJETTER ARPENTR I, l.lAix woo fry Poi. Alm 60 Phone: 519-606-2;42 Cel: 519-440-2142 To advertise in this BUSINESS DIRECTORY Please call Dawn Johnston 519-482-3443