Close X
Wednesday, December 4, 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

    Opposition Parties Warn Sale Of Hydro One Will Drive Electricity Rates Higher

    The Progressive Conservatives and the New Democrats are opposed to the sale of Hydro One, warning it will lead to higher electricity prices.

    Opposition Parties Warn Sale Of Hydro One Will Drive Electricity Rates Higher

    Guy Turcotte, Quebec Doctor Set To Stand Trial A Second Time In The Deaths Of His Two Children

    Jury selection is set to begin Monday in the second trial of a former Quebec cardiologist who is charged with first-degree murder in the slayings of his two children.

    Guy Turcotte, Quebec Doctor Set To Stand Trial A Second Time In The Deaths Of His Two Children

    Deadline Approaches For Toronto To Declare Interest In Bidding For Olympics 2024

    The premier of Ontario says she hasn't decided whether her government will support an Olympic bid by the city of Toronto if one is made.

    Deadline Approaches For Toronto To Declare Interest In Bidding For Olympics 2024

    Groups To Protest Removal Of Historic Ruins Near Montreal Highway Construction Site

    Groups To Protest Removal Of Historic Ruins Near Montreal Highway Construction Site
    Archeologists unearthed the ruins of the former village earlier this summer. 

    Groups To Protest Removal Of Historic Ruins Near Montreal Highway Construction Site

    Former Harper Aide Bruce Carson Pleads Not Guilty To Influence Peddling

    Bruce Carson is charged in connection with the proposed sale of water purification systems to First Nations communities.

    Former Harper Aide Bruce Carson Pleads Not Guilty To Influence Peddling

    Federal Government Balances Books One Year Early, Posts Surprise $1.9 Billion Surplus

    The number ends a streak of six deficits under the Conservatives and is certain to reverberate on the campaign trail.

    Federal Government Balances Books One Year Early, Posts Surprise $1.9 Billion Surplus