May16_06LionsQuest

Press Releases 2006

For immediate release

May 16, 2006

PC Education Critic Calls on Education Minister to Adopt

Lions-Quest Program

(Queen's Park) PC Education Critic and Oak Ridges MPP Frank Klees called on the Education Minister today to adopt the Lions-Quest program to address the growing problem of bullying and safety in Ontario 's schools.

Klees was responding to the Minister of Education's statement in the legislature which re-stated the government's commitment to spending millions of dollars to deal with the issue of safety in Ontario 's schools.

"R a ther th a n trying to re-invent the wheel a t gre a t cost to the t a xp a yers, why won't the Minister a gree to support the province-wide implement a tion of the Lions-Quest progr a m," s a id Klees. "The former minister of educ a tion ignored repe a ted requests for meetings with represent a tives of this very successful progr a m, a nd I would hope th a t the new minister will a t the very le a st find the time to consider the progr a m's proven benefits".

The Lions-Quest Program, which was developed by the Lions Organization and is supported by Lions Clubs across the province, provides research-based tools empowering students to develop respect, responsibility and caring behaviours within a safe and nurturing environment, actively engaging educators, parents and community members in reinforcing respect and responsibility

The program has been successfully incorporated into many York Region schools' anti-bullying strategy.

"The government should embrace this very successful program and accept the help that is being offered by the Lions Clubs of our province," said Klees.

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For more information:

Frank Klees , MPP

416-325-7316