A candle for children

Today in the legislature, I put a candle on my desk. The candle was in memory of the 31 children who were under the responsibility of Manitoba child and family services and who have died of homicide since the year 2000. The candle was a symbol of remembrance and also of hope for the future.

I feel passionately that we must do better in Manitoba. We must prevent future homicides of children in care. We must provide a nurturing environment for all Manitoba children. As a father and a pediatrician, I know there can be no more important goal of public policy than to make changes to improve things for the future.

Though we as MLAs have put small trees, baskets of strawberries, small tokens from Manitoba's mining industry on our desks at various times, the Speaker would not let me put this candle on my desk. Sad.

I strongly disagree with the Speaker, George Hickes. There can be little more important than putting forward a symbol of remembrance for these tragedies coupled with a commitment to do everything possible to prevent them in the future.