Children’s
aid societies
– May 9, 2011
Mr.
Rosario Marchese:
To the Minister of Children and Youth Services. Is the minister aware
that, almost a year ago, the Superior Court of Justice made a
decision stating that the Child and Family Services Review Board does
not have the power to hear children’s aid societies’ complaints
that are before the courts?
Hon.
Laurel C. Broten:
I’m pleased to have a chance to spend a moment talking about the
important oversight that we do have when it comes to children’s aid
societies.
I
want to highlight that there is Family Court oversight; there is the
Child and Family Services Review Board oversight; the Ombudsman, who
does have oversight of the Child and Family Services Review Board;
the Auditor General; and the Office of the Chief Coroner.
Yes,
my colleague opposite does raise an issue that the CFSRB has an
appeal presently before the courts where they continue to defend the
rubric and the area of authority that they importantly have as a
specialized tribunal that has expertise to deal with the complicated
and sensitive matters, and that in our view is the appropriate forum
to deal with these issues involving children and families.
The
Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters):
Supplementary?
Mr.
Rosario Marchese:
The minister would know that since the Superior Court of Justice’s
decision was made last year, over 50 children’s aid societies’
hearings have been put on ice. Many more will be on hold in the
coming months.
Let
me understand this: The government will not allow the Ombudsman to
oversee children’s aid societies, the courts are not allowing the
CFSRB to hear any cases before a judge, yet the government is adamant
there are no problems with the system.
How
is the government planning to help the growing number of families who
are no one to turn to when they have a problem with the children’s
aid society?
Hon.
Laurel C. Broten:
I think it’s important for families right across the province who
might be watching to understand that we have a very rigorous variety
of oversights that allow you, as an individual, to come forward with
a complaint if you do have one with respect to a children’s aid
society. The OACAS and other organizations have been very clear about
their support for rigorous oversight of CASs. It’s a very regulated
procedure, as it should be. These are highly important and emotional
and technical matters that involve our children, and so we very much
appreciate the variety of oversights that we’ve put in place.
At
the same time, the CFSRB is a specialized tribunal. We have expanded
their powers, increased their mandate to give them the opportunity to
review these matters in a holistic way. There is an appeal presently
and that should proceed and is proceeding through the courts where
arguments are being made with respect to their oversight capacity —
The
Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters):
Thank you. New question.
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