Ministerial Statement - Child Find's Green Ribbon of Hope Month

The following statement was issued today by Chris Decker, Minister of Justice. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I rise today to inform the House of an important campaign which is underway in Canada during the month of May. It is the Green Ribbon of Hope Campaign of Child Find Canada Inc.

Child Find Newfoundland and Labrador Inc. is a member of Child Find Canada and they are a very active group of volunteers in this province. A group, I will say, all of us hope we would not need to call upon. But unfortunately, all too often in this province, this group is searching for a missing child.

May is Green Ribbon of Hope month. Green represents a light in the darkness for all missing children. I am wearing a green ribbon today and I urge all Members of the House of Assembly and all citizens to wear a green ribbon as a symbol of hope for the recovery of all missing children in our country.

Child Find Newfoundland and Labrador spends countless hours educating adults and children on the prevention of abduction, they promote awareness of the problem of missing children and they assist in the location of missing children. I would like to acknowledge Ms. Maura Beam, President of Child Find Newfoundland and Labrador and the Executive Director Ms. Terry Mahoney-Cleary who are in the gallery today.

I would also like to commend Child Find Newfoundland and Labrador for their work in this province. Working in close contact with the police forces, they provide strength and support to parents during most difficult circumstances. I know specifically, they have been very active in search of the three missing O'Brien boys and have played a significant role in supporting their mother.

It is unfortunate that our society is plagued with the circumstance of missing children but to combat such circumstances we have an organization in Child Find that do what they can to alleviate the problem. We must remain vigilant in protecting our children. Government is very supportive of this campaign and we wish successful resolution to each and every case which Child Find Newfoundland and Labrador finds itself involved in.

Green ribbons are available for the honourable members to wear today and for the entire month of May if they are so inclined.

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