CAS Expansion

June 25, 2010 permalink

Two federal MPs and an Ontario MPP proudly appear at a grounbreaking ceremony for a $2.5 million addition to Niagara Children's Aid.

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Ontario’s Federal And Provincial Governments Lay Down Some Cash For Niagara Kids In Crisis

June 24, 2010

NIAGARA FALLS, ONTARIO, June 24, 2010 – The City of Niagara Falls today celebrated the groundbreaking of an addition to the Children’s Aid Society office for Family and Children’s Services in Niagara.

Federal minister John Baird and Niagara Falls, Ontario MPP Kim Kraitor join a child in a groundbreaking for new facilites in Niagara for kids in crisis.

Canada’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure John Baird; the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C. Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice, and Attorney General of Canada; Kim Craitor, Member of Provincial Parliament for Niagara Falls; and Michael Boucher, Vice President of the Board of Directors, Family and Children’s Services Niagara, participated in the groundbreaking ceremonies for this important infrastructure project.

“The work of the Children’s Aid Society is vital to the people in our region,” said Minister Baird. “Helping to fund a new Family Centre through Canada’s Economic Action Plan is another way that the Government of Canada is supporting Canadian communities and we are pleased to be a part of this worthwhile project that has such a positive impact on this community.”

“The children, youth and families of the Niagara region will benefit immensely from the improvements this new facility will bring to the important work of Family and Children’s Services,” said Minister Nicholson. “The federal government is committed to helping communities by contributing to important local infrastructure projects such as this one.”

“Today’s investment demonstrates our government’s commitment to strengthening Ontario’s not-for-profit sector,” said Laurel Broten, Minister of Children and Youth Services. “Our Open Ontario plan ensures that we will continue to deliver valuable community services to at-risk families and children.”

“Now Niagara families and children will have a safe and accessible facility they can turn to in times of crisis,” said Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor. “This family centre represents a place where abused and neglected children will find protection, guidance and care they desperately need.”

“This is a very important milestone for Family and Children’s Services, and for the community,” said Michael Boucher of Family and Children’s Services Niagara. “We have worked hard to find a location, and develop a facility that would allow us to better serve families in Niagara Falls and Fort Erie. Today, we are one step closer to seeing that happen, and we could not be more excited!”

“Families and children need a place where they can feel safe, comfortable and secure during times of crisis or distress,” commented Chris Steven, Executive Director of Family and Children’s Services Niagara. “This will be a child and family friendly environment – with a playground, family visiting rooms and community space. We are very grateful to the governments of Ontario and Canada for their support in making this possible.”

The total eligible project cost is $2,510,000, with the governments of Canada and Ontario each contributing up to one third of the funding. Family and Children’s Services Niagara will contribute the remaining balance. The project includes the construction of a Family Centre addition to the Children’s Aid Society in the Niagra Region. The additional facility will provide an accessible, safe and environmentally-friendly space that can be used by Niagara-area families and children in need of protection, support and counselling.

The Government of Canada’s contribution comes from the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, a key component of Canada’s Economic Action Plan that invests in infrastructure projects across Canada to stimulate economic activity and create jobs.

The contribution from the Province of Ontario comes from its 2009 provincial budget and is part of the Open Ontario plan, which is supporting more than 300,000 jobs and strengthening Ontario’s economy.

Since 2007, the governments of Canada and Ontario have committed more than $13 billion in joint funding for over 6,400 infrastructure projects across the province.

Remarks By Kim Craitor, MPP, Niagara Falls riding.

As I mentioned several months ago when Rob and I announced we were each investing over $835,000 to enhance this facility… “Taking care of our children is our number one imperative.”

I know this truth only too well.

I was a child who was brought up by a very caring foster family under the auspices of the Children’s Aid.

For this I will be forever indebted to FACs and the CAS and the Craitor’s who cared for me.

So John and Rob… any day we make an investment in our children is a “Red” letter or if you wish a “Blue” ribbon day for me.

It is a great privilege to participate in this next step in the process to provide the Niagara Falls clients of FACS the same quality services that to date has been primarily available in St. Catharines and Welland.

I remember visiting the facilities in Welland about a year and a half ago and was really impressed how integrated the facilities were for helping children and families that were experiencing some difficulties.

At its core… this investment by the provincial and federal governments will provide our children under care with their need for comfort, privacy and safety in a space that feels both helpful and hopeful.”

It will as mentioned provide for indoor and outdoor play areas for children under care, comfortable family visiting rooms, a really vital life skills centre and a community meeting space

Where I come from… it is all about providing care comfort safety and hope.

This investment will provide real benefits for our community well after the initial this construction phase has ended and help build on our strong social infrastructure.

Thank you

Source: Niagara at Large