Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

John Horgan, Christy Clark Spar Over Death Of Teen In Government Care

The Canadian Press, 01 Oct, 2015 10:19 AM
    VICTORIA — British Columbia Premier Christy Clark and Opposition New Democrat Leader John Horgan are accusing each other of playing politics over the tragic death of an 18-year-old aboriginal male in government care.
     
    Alex Gervais fell from a fourth-floor window of an Abbotsford hotel on Sept. 18, and children's representative Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond has said she believes he killed himself.
     
    Clark backed Children and Family Development Minister Stephanie Cadieux in the legislature Wednesday, saying the New Democrats are looking to score political points rather than await a formal review of Gervais's death.
     
    "I don't think the best interest of children are served by getting into what is really, essentially, a political debate," said Clark.
     
    Horgan said the government must answer difficult questions about the quality of care vulnerable children and youth are receiving, and he repeated his calls for Cadieux's resignation.
     
    "At no time did I try and politicize this debate," said Horgan. "I have a great deal of respect for Stephanie Cadieux. It's not about her. It's about a new set of eyes and new leadership in a ministry that has clearly lost its way."
     
    An attempt by the NDP to force Cadieux to appear before the government's all-party children's committee failed, as the Liberal-dominated committee voted against the move.
     
     
    Cadieux's ministry has launched a formal director's case review into Gervais's death.
     
    Case reviews examine the facts of a critical injury or death suffered by a child or youth under government care and try to determine if actions were consistent with relevant legislation, policy and standards.
     
    Horgan joined aboriginal leaders and B.C.'s independent representative for children and youth who have called government funding inadequte.
     
    "There's been chronic underfunding at the ministry for the past five to 10 years," he said. "Christy Clark, when she was in opposition, railed against government for underfunding and now she professes to be fully funding these operations."
     
    Turpel-Lafond said underfunded delegated agencies do not have the resources or qualified staff to care for youth like Gervais who have complex needs.
     
    In earlier reports, she blasted the government for wasting millions of dollars and mismanagement when it came to aboriginal child and youth agencies.
     
    Doug Kelly, a founder of the Fraser Valley Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society who is now chairman of the First Nations Health Council, said he wants to meet with Clark.
     
    "It's time for us to sit down and talk together about how we can collaborate and improve children and family services," said Kelly. "It's time for us to take it out of the high-profile public media war and put it behind us to come together."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Why Cheap Pills From Canada Have Become Political Issue In U.S. Again

    Why Cheap Pills From Canada Have Become Political Issue In U.S. Again
    A dermatologist prescribes what used to be a cheap generic drug. Then comes the shock at the pharmacy when it turns out a little tube of Clobetasol cream now costs $300.

    Why Cheap Pills From Canada Have Become Political Issue In U.S. Again

    No Injuries After Buffalo Airways Cargo Plane Crashes In Northwest Territories

    No Injuries After Buffalo Airways Cargo Plane Crashes In Northwest Territories
    No one was injured when a cargo plane made emergency landing northwest of Yellowknife.

    No Injuries After Buffalo Airways Cargo Plane Crashes In Northwest Territories

    Alleged Killer of 3 Ex-Girlfriends Basil Borutski's Refusal To Sign Probation Order Was A 'Message'

    Alleged Killer of 3 Ex-Girlfriends Basil Borutski's Refusal To Sign Probation Order Was A 'Message'
    Amanda Dale, executive director of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, said Basil Borutski's decision should have been cause for concern.

    Alleged Killer of 3 Ex-Girlfriends Basil Borutski's Refusal To Sign Probation Order Was A 'Message'

    Liberals Plan For Surplus By End Of First Term Scrutinized By Opponents

    Liberals Plan For Surplus By End Of First Term Scrutinized By Opponents
    The three major federal party leaders were away from the campaign spotlight Saturday, but the election stage was occupied by the Liberals who released a full costing of their campaign promises.

    Liberals Plan For Surplus By End Of First Term Scrutinized By Opponents

    Rob Ford Was 'Reckless' When He Knocked Over Councillor: Integrity Commissioner

    Toronto's integrity commissioner says then-mayor Rob Ford was "unnecessarily reckless" when he accidentally knocked over a city councillor during a televised high-stakes meeting two years ago.

    Rob Ford Was 'Reckless' When He Knocked Over Councillor: Integrity Commissioner

    Hillary Clinton Announced Another Canada Policy This Week, Could Affect Millions: Pharma

    Hillary Clinton Announced Another Canada Policy This Week, Could Affect Millions: Pharma
    Lost in the noise of her headline-grabbing coming-out against the Keystone XL pipeline, Hillary Clinton announced another Canada-U.S. policy this week that could affect millions of people.

    Hillary Clinton Announced Another Canada Policy This Week, Could Affect Millions: Pharma