VICTORIA — The British Columbia government and the province's independent children's watchdog have joined forces to conduct a review of kids being housed in hotels.
The review comes after the recent death of 18-year-old Alex Gervais, who was in government care when he fell from the fourth floor of a hotel in Abbotsford.
B.C.'s representative for children and youth Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond believes he committed suicide.
She and Children's Minister Stephanie Cadieux say the joint review will include recommendations for new policies surrounding the future placement of children in care in hotels.
A joint statement says a report on the review is due to be completed by the end of the year and will be made public.
Turpel-Lafond says she supports initiatives that reduce and eliminate placing children in care in hotels, even in emergencies.
