04 November 2008
Government Continues Attack on Grandparents
Liberal MPPs turn out en masse, vote down NDP efforts to reinstate support

QUEEN'S PARK—NDP MPP Paul Miller continued his efforts to have the McGuinty Liberals rescind their attack on Temporary Care Assistance (TCA) funding for grandchildren being raised by their grandparents.

After weeks of grilling the Minister in the Legislature, Miller hoped that by finally having the issue brought to the floor of the Legislature through an NDP Opposition Day Motion and debate of the real changes to the rules, that the McGuinty government would again support these families. 

The Minister, however, remained intransigent, asserting that there has been no change, that these families are still eligible for TCA.  “Prove to the grandparents from ROCK (Raising Our Children’s Kids) who have been cut-off that there’s been no change,” Miller said to the Minister.

The Minister also went back to her assertion that these families can get the Ontario Child Benefit.  “That’s a whole $50 per month,” said Miller, “and the federal benefits she cites are all clawed back.”

“The only right thing to do is recognise that all of these care situations must be covered by TCA, so that funding will be available for these grandchildren to have extra help with education, have health and dental care and participate in recreational activities,” said Miller.

After the shameful vote against this motion by 52 Liberals, one grandchild burst into tears asking her grandmother if “this means there’ll be no Christmas.”

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Media Contact: Paul Miller (416) 325-0707

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