A group of protesters shut down a busy Toronto intersection as the provincial government plans to close the Child Advocate Office.
The Ford government announced the closure during the fall economic statement, saying it should be shifting the responsibilities to an expanded Ombudsman's office.
A group known as The Collective of Child Welfare Survivors shut down the intersection of Queen and Bay for almost half an hour yesterday to demand the continuation of an ongoing investigation into the deaths of children in welfare situations, many of whom belonged to marginalized groups.
The group says they recognize the office has issues, and demand a financial forensic audit and an independent equity systemic review to address anti-Black and anti-Native racism, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism.
During the protest, a large banner stretched across the intersection with the words 'Keep Kids Alive' emblazoned across it.