Protesters rally against Ford government at Queen's Park

Around 150 people gathered outsideQueen's Park on Saturday to rallyagainst several changes by the new Ontario government.

ChesterMadrazo, one of the organizers, said the morning rally was in support of public services and marginalized people.

Premier Doug Ford has vowed to bringsweeping changes to the province,including endingcap-and-trade and repealing the currentsex-edcurriculum.

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Outside the legislature, demonstratorsheld "15 and Fairness" signs, condemned changes to the provincial curriculum, expressed worry about the environment and showed concern for potential budget cuts to social programs.

IndygoArscott, 16,spoke against the last-minute decision tocancel curriculum-writingsessionsaimed at bringing more Indigenous contentinto Ontario classrooms.

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"While I am only a child, my heart lies with the children of the future," saidArscottto the crowd.

Incorporating Indigenous knowledge and history into theK-12curriculumis crucial step in reconciliation,Arscottsaid.

"We have a right to view ourselves ...in education systems. We are a multidimensional people, and we deserve to be recognized as more than our trauma."

Arscott, who will be going into Grade11,fears thatrecent education decisions will leaveyoungpeople "fearful and uninformed."

"You must teach thecurriculumyou want to reflect the future,"Arscottsaid.

Carolyn Ferns of the Ontario Coalition for Better Childcare said she'sworried the new government will makecuts to childcare.

It took years of consultation and organizing to get thenew childcare spacespromisedby the previous government, and families are depending on them, Ferns said.

'When I saw the first things that the Ford governmentwas attacking, they're all attacks on children," said Ferns.

"If it's abandoning asylum seekers, those are attacks on families. If it's repealing the sex-ed curriculum, those are attacks on our kids."

Madrazo istroubled by many of Ford's decisionsand said Saturday's rally was "just the beginning."

He said therewill bestarting anonline group called Ontarians for Social Progresswhere people can organize and discuss various issues.

Madrazoadded that organizers arenotlooking at the Ford government as enemies but justwant to work together to ensuresocial programs stand.