Mr. Speaker, I recently attended the second annual social justice fair organized by the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.
Students from as many as 22 Hamilton area schools are watching this live, right now, to see their concerns brought to Parliament.
Here is their message: “On any given night in Hamilton, 399 men, women and children stay in emergency shelters. There are at least 600 homeless or street-involved youth in Hamilton. Youth homelessness is a very serious issue, not only in Hamilton but in our country. There are things being done to help the homeless people in our city, but it is not enough to keep them off the streets. As a school board and as individuals, we find this inadequate. More things need to be done, but they are simply not happening. We need more transitional housing for youth and more mental health services. Fundraising is not enough because it only provides a band-aid solution. It is time for our government to take action”.
I agree with that statement and I congratulate these Hamilton students for sending this important message to Parliament. Now let us see it acted upon.