Go, McGuinty, Go!!!
The new Ontario adoption subsidy is certainly welcome news.   Check it out at: http://news.ontario.ca/mcys/en/2012/06/helping-kids-in-care-find-permanent-homes.html. Starting June 15, Ontario will provide financial subsidies to eligible parents who adopt or take legal custody of Crown wards 10 years of age and over, or siblings. The hope is that this will directly result in finding more permanent homes for children and youth in the care of Children's Aid Societies across the province.   
Quick facts include:
  • CASs will provide subsidies to families with a net annual income of up to $85,000.
  • Subsidies will be $950/month/child or $11,400/year/child. 
 
This is truly great news as there are so many families who would be wonderful parents to some of these children in care but hesitate to begin the adoption process for fear of not being able to provide for the children's needs. When kids grow up in stable and healthy families, despite early turmoil, they have a much greater chance of being more successful in school and adulthood. This subsidy will directly help to improve the lives of children and therefore will have a positive impact on society.
 
We don't usually take the time to congratulate government and even more so, we're usually much quicker to criticize. So, in trying to do my part as a citizen of this province, I whole heartedly congratulate the Ontario government for a thoughtful and positive move by implementing this subsidy. Cheers!