Legislature Unanimously Passes Runciman Resolution
(Toronto) The Ontario legislature, in its last day of an often fractious fall sitting, found an issue to agree on – the growing problem of child sexual exploitation through the internet.
All three parties joined together to vote in support of a resolution tabled by Progressive Conservative House Leader (MPP Leeds-Grenville) Bob Runciman declaring February 7, 2007 as “Safer Internet Day”.
Passage of Runciman’s resolution follows the lead of 37 other countries who have dedicated this day to raising awareness of the dangers kids face on the internet.
“The vote today clearly indicates members of the legislature recognize the significant dangers lurking on the internet for our children and grandchildren,” said Runciman.
“The anonymity of the internet is used to lure kids to meet pedophiles and many parents are unaware of their children using secret email accounts and going into adult chat rooms” the veteran MPP and former Solicitor General pointed out.
“Hopefully, as parents are buying computers for their kids this Christmas season, this will remind them to take all precautions to keep their children safe on-line” the MPP concluded.
Runciman complimented the Kids Internet Safety alliance (KINSA) for proposing the resolution.
