The point I was trying to indicate is that the Ontario government appears to be focused on other issues. It's not to say that they're not.... Our organization receives quite a deal of funding from the Ontario government for the bullying and the safe schools projects that we are involved with, to do some professional development of our teachers and make them aware of those areas that are poverty-stricken. Mainly it's for the idea of the safe schools, the racialized aspect.
What I'm suggesting concerning the federal government is from the standpoint of immigrant children. I think the federal government may not recognize the children as it more or less recognizes the parents. There are children who need some sort of assistance to bring them back into society. Because of the aspect of citizenship, I guess the stress may be put mainly on the parents, but I know, as an immigrant myself, that the school system is just not enough. There need to be programs in the community.
I come from Leamington, Ontario, where there are a lot of immigrants in the area. There are social services being provided both by the school boards and by the parishes to ameliorate bringing immigrant children as well into the community, not just from the school standpoint—because in some cases the schools become a sort of danger zone for racialization—but even in terms of the community, because that's key; that's where the importance is. From that standpoint, I guess I'm looking for the federal government to become aware of this and work in partnership with the provinces.
Thank you.