PM Carney Ignored Child and Youth Matters During His Election Campaign; Prioritization Necessary Now That He's in Office.
T ell ya what, Canada's new Prime Minister, ol' Mark Carney, has stirred a bit of a commotion with his recent cabinet decisions. In a move that's left many scratching their heads, he's done away with several portfolios dedicated to children, women, and mental health. Some folks are calling it a necessary move for a "war-time cabinet" or an "election cabinet," but that doesn't change the fact that these issues needed attention.
Now, full disclosure, I'm Dr. Wraychel Gilmore, and I'm all about advocating for youth political consultation and systemic change. I'm also the National Director for Defence For Children International - Canada. And let me tell you, when it comes to our young 'uns, we're facing one heck of a mental health crisis, and it's high time these issues received some priority.
Here's the thing, folks. These poor kids are already vulnerable because of their age, and the sad truth is that they're the only individuals in Canada taxed without representation. This "WAGE" (Women And Gender Equality) fuss that's going on – don't get me wrong, it's necessary – but it also overlooks theY. You know, that little "Y" right smack in the middle of WAGE? It's there for a reason. It's symbolic of the fact that, even among advocates, children and youth are often marginalized and overlooked.
Worst yet, it seems that our most vulnerable members of the community have been left in the dark during this election campaign. The silence is deafening.
So, Carney, buddy, here's your chance to make things right. Reverse this decision and prioritize the needs of children and youth. We need politicians and decision-makers to start recognizing the need to prioritize these issues and make humane budgetary and service delivery decisions that can impact entire generations.
It's time we get upstream in our thinking so that multi-jurisdictional efforts on education, justice, protection, and health responses are proactive, not reactive. We need to be investing in children and youth, because they have the right to be invested in.
Unless I missed something in the news, Carney's cabinet still doesn't have a minister focused on the multi-sector needs of children and youth. The reinstatement of a ministerial portfolio is a bare minimum federal level commitment, in my humble opinion.
Don't get me wrong – there are various initiatives supporting children and youth, like the Department of Canadian Heritage and the federal Youth Secretariat, but it's high time we had a dedicated minister to tackle these issues head on.
Now that the people have given Carney a mandate to govern, it's time for him to bring the priorities of children and youth forward with him. It's about more than just getting a "win" or having a cute photo op with some kids. It's about making decisions that can impact generations to come.
Remember, Carney, an economically minded pragmatist like yourself should recognize the need for preventative services. By investing in children and youth now, we'll save ourselves from spending even more tax dollars down the line on long-term health services, incarceration, job creation programs, and more.
So let's get started, shall we? Prioritize children and youth because they are more than just the future; they're deserving of investment today, simple as that.
Now, I know opinion articles are based on the author's interpretations and judgments of facts, data, and events, but I'd love to see some actual action on this issue.
More details? Alright, here's a low-down on the existing support systems for children and youth in Canada:
- Canadian Heritage focuses on broader issues related to Canadian identity, culture, and values, including promoting human rights and supporting youth through initiatives like the federal Youth Secretariat.
- The federal Youth Secretariat engages youth through platforms like the Prime Minister’s Youth Council. However, there is no specific mention of a dedicated ministerial portfolio for children and youth as of now.
- Some provinces, like Ontario, have their own initiatives, like education reforms and advisory councils for special education, but these are not federal ministerial portfolios.
- Canada's new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has received criticism for eliminating portfolios dedicated to children, women, and mental health, sparking a debate in politics.
- As a proponent of youth political consultation and systemic change, Dr. Wraychel Gilmore, the National Director for Defence For Children International - Canada, emphasizes the urgent need for attention to child mental health issues.
- The elimination of these portfolios overlooks the mental health crisis facing Canada's youth, who are currently the only taxed individuals without representation.
- The ongoing "WAGE" (Women And Gender Equality) debate has missed the mark by ignoring the needs of the country's children and youth.
- Both the Canadian Heritage and the federal Youth Secretariat offer support for youth, but the lack of a dedicated ministerial portfolio is concerning.
- Ontario's provincial initiatives, such as education reforms and special education advisory councils, are not federal ministerial portfolios.
- In the midst of geopolitical events, Carney's cabinet still lacks a minister focused on the multisector needs of children and youth.
- Recognizing the need for preventative services, economically-minded decision-makers like Carney should prioritize investments in children and youth to save long-term health and social costs.
- Carney, as the new Prime Minister, should reinstate a ministerial portfolio for children and youth to address their needs proactively.
- The media and general news should report on the ongoing debate and the need for action on child mental health issues in Canada, moving beyond opinion pieces and seeking tangible solutions.
