I am one among many kinship family providers who take on the noble cause of caring for a child when their biological parents are unable to do so. We go above and beyond to provide the best possible care for these children. Despite our selfless dedication, the system fails to acknowledge our trials or extend the needed support. The family court system in Ontario puts the entire financial responsibility on us. Not only are we expected to foot the bills, but also to facilitate a connection between the child and their biological parents, even when these parents have proven to be delinquent. The immense emotional, financial, and logistical pressures we face are noticeably overlooked.

Kinship families are the backbone of the child welfare system in Ontario, yet they are denied the same rights and financial assistance traditional foster families receive. Currently, there are no policies or legislation protecting the rights and interests of kinship care providers in Ontario, which increases the financial strain on these families.

We are calling on the legal system to rectify this unjust bias, by acknowledging and amending the unfair practises in place against kinship families. Let us together advocate for change, for a system that values the care provided by kinship families and provides the needed help and support. This is not just a personal plea, but a call to action for public benefit. Kindly sign the petition to aid our cause and foster a more fair, supportive environment for kinship families like mine in Ontario.