The Throne Speech in Ontario has surprised a few

THE THRONE SPEECH IN ONTARIO
has surprised a few with a promise from Premier Dalton McGuinty’s government to improve the standards of First Nations education. The Toronto Star reports that McGuinty wants to “press” Ottawa for more provincial control “over the woeful state of federal-run Native education.” He said the province has an obligation to ensure every child grows up strong, to be the best they can be and realize their potential. Native youth are the fastest growing demographic so the Star says helping Native kids helps Ontario in the long run. “When we want to take on emerging economies and succeed in a very competitive and turbulent economy we need our people at their best,” McGuinty said. He said the feds aren’t good at providing education. “They don’t do education. We do education. And there are now international authorities who say we have the best public education system in the English-speaking world.” Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse said something has to be done about the issue. “Why does a 14-year-old have to leave home to get a secondary education?” he recently asked. “The reality is, 14-, 15-, 16-year-olds aren’t receiving any parenting once they leave their communities . . . the culture shock they experience is, I am sure, quite traumatic.”