Mr. Speaker, today I would like to acknowledge a program operating in a family of schools in the Jane-Finch community of my riding of York West. Conflict Mediation Services of Downsview's project, “Partners for Conflict Resolution”, is a program that promotes positive peer culture and non-violent approaches to conflict resolution.
This partnership program will bring peer mediation services into our school to give our youth alternatives to violence. It is critical that we nurture citizens who are able to solve personal conflicts without violence.
Partners for Conflict Resolution will play an important role in many students' interpersonal development. Its early intervention and prevention aspects intend to stop violent behaviour. Further, the project will counteract the emergence of a culture of violence in the city.
It is through these partnerships and this community based approach that we can work against violence with those who will build the future of our communities: our youth.