April 27, 2021
QUEEN’S PARK — Doug Ford needs to stop his forced closure of the Syl Apps Youth Centre in Oakville that will cut critical mental health support for the province’s most vulnerable youth in the system, said MPP Monique Taylor (Hamilton Mountain), the NDP’s critic for Mental Health and Addictions during question period Tuesday. Taylor issued the following statement:
“Doug Ford must stop the closure of the Syl Apps Youth Centre in Oakville. The centre provides youth from across the region who have severe emotional and psychological challenges with mental health supports — which are few and far between after years of cuts from the Ford government.
These youth have complex needs and are already in a justice system that was not meant to treat their mental health conditions. Over half of these young people have attempted suicide, and have high rates of self-harm and aggression towards others. They need more help, not a government that takes help away.
These youth are sent to the Syl Apps Youth Centre when they have no where else to go. New Democrats support the calls on the Ford government to keep the centre open, including from the CEO of SickKids.
Doug Ford needs to do the right thing and give these young people a safe place to receive the help they need. Ford must stop his plan to close the Syl Apps Youth Centre.