Native Children's Aid Agency Budget Hit

Yet another children's aid agency in the Rainy River district is feeling the pinch from recent government cuts.

It was revealed at Queen's Park yesterday that Wee-chi-ti-win Family Services lost $941-thousand as part of a $4.2-million dollar cut to six native agencies in the province.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath joined aboriginal leaders in calling for a moratorium on those cuts.

"There is a real crisis facing Ontario's native children and youth," said Horwath, "but this government is shamefully reducing the resources that these vulnerable, young children and youth rely on."

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Brad Duguid says his ministry, along with Youth and Children's Service, is working with the agencies to find solutions, but noted several millions of dollars has been provided to help children in need.