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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
VICTORIA – The Province has finalized the membership of the
independent panel that will examine oversight, public reporting and advocacy
within B.C.’s child and youth protection system, Children and Family
Development Minister Stan Hagen announced today.
“With this
panel, we are uniting many of B.C.’s most respected experts on child
welfare, child development and governance,” said Hagen. “The panel will provide an independent assessment of our
approach to meeting the needs of vulnerable children and investigating child
deaths, to ensure it is as thorough and open as possible.”
The Hon. Ted Hughes, QC, will chair a panel composed
of Jane Morley, B.C.’s child and youth officer; Joyce Preston, B.C.’s former
child and youth advocate; Grand Chief Ed John, B.C.’s former minister for
children and families; Terry Smith, B.C.’s chief coroner; and Maureen Nicholls,
a former deputy minister.
Thomas Gove, a provincial court judge who was
commissioner of the Gove Inquiry into Child Protection 10 years ago, has
agreed, with the approval of Hugh Stansfield, Chief Judge of the Provincial
Court of B.C., to be available to engage in discussions with the panel if
requested to do so by the panel.
“Protecting vulnerable children and youth is one of
the most important goals of government and society,” Hughes said. He added that
he welcomes the opportunity to work with panel members and is pleased with the
availability of Judge Gove to assist in a consultative role.
The panel is to review and recommend any changes to
improve B.C.’s system of reviewing child deaths by the end of January 2006, for
consideration in the spring 2006 legislative session. The panel will also
review roles and responsibilities related to advocacy for children and youth,
and to monitoring and public reporting on government’s protective and other
services to children and youth, and will make any recommendations for
improvement by April 30.
The Office for Children and Youth Act legislates
that, within its first five years, the act and its effectiveness must be
reviewed.
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contact: |
Communications Director Ministry of Children and Family Development 250 356-0233 |
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Visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca for online information and services. |
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