Stephen Harper hears challenges, solutions for youth at risk

December 20, 2005

Consultation builds on work of Task Force on Safe Streets and Healthy Communities

TORONTO – Conservative leader Stephen Harper today reached out for advice from front-line workers who serve urban youth at risk.

“Every child should have the right to grow up in a safe and secure environment. We must help young people avoid crime and avoid becoming the victims of crime,” Harper said. “That’s why I want to hear from the men and women who work on the front lines serving youth at risk.”

Today’s round table discussion was facilitated by Jim Flaherty, former Ontario Attorney General and the current Conservative candidate in Whitby-Oshawa, one of the two chairs of the Conservative Task Force on Safe Streets and Healthy Communities. The other task force chair is Russ Hiebert, MP (South Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale). Toronto Centre candidate Lewis Reford also participated in today’s discussion.

The front-line workers giving Harper the benefit of their advice and experience included municipal and community leaders, youth outreach workers, law enforcement officers, and members of churches that minister to inner-city families

The discussion was held at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre, which provides social, recreational, and skills-development programs for children, youth and their families in the inner-city neighbourhoods of Cabbagetown and St. Jamestown. The Centre’s boxing club was once home to both former world amateur champion Shawn O’Sullivan and former Canadian and Commonwealth champion Donovan Boucher.

“This dialogue is important because government does not have all the answers,” Harper observed. “We need everyone’s involvement to ensure that young people grow up in a safe, secure, supportive, and reaffirming environment.”

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