June 10, 2010

GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO SUPPORT PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BILL

GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO SUPPORT PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BILL

ON CHILD WELFARE

The NDP government has refused for a second time to support a bill that would bring greater accountability to Manitoba’s child welfare system.  The bill, introduced by Family Services Critic Bonnie Mitchelson, would require child and family services agencies to provide a written reason to foster families whenever a decision is made to move a child from a foster home when there are no child protection concerns.

“I’m deeply disappointed that the government members spoke against my bill again today, especially when we have the Children’s Advocate telling us that the child welfare system is in a state of chaos,” said Mitchelson.

Bill 204 which received second reading today calls for Recommendation #47 of the Gage Guimond Section 4 Review to become law. It states:

That any decision to move a child when there are no child protection concerns contain a written reason for this decision including reference to the impact on the child, the appropriateness of the move in accordance with the child’s stage of development and the degree of attachment to the caregiver.

“Providing written reasons for moving a child ensures clarity for everyone involved - foster and biological families alike.  It’s not something that’s being done right now and we feel it should be,” said Mitchelson. “I’ve spoken to many bewildered foster parents who are deeply saddened and troubled by a seemingly arbitrary decision to have their foster child taken from their care.”

The Progressive Conservatives have proposed a moratorium on any transfers from stable foster homes until the system has stabilized, and on a go-forward basis to have a written reason in place before any movement occurs when there are no child protection concerns.