National

Liberals Table 'Historic' Indigenous Child Welfare Bill

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 28 Feb, 2019 11:39 PM

OTTAWA — The Trudeau government has tabled its promised child welfare legislation aimed at stopping the over-representation of Indigenous children in foster care.

The bill emphasizes the need for the child welfare system to promote more preventative care and support for families instead of apprehending Indigenous children from their mothers.

Indigenous Services Minister Seamus O'Regan calls the legislation "historic" and says the main goal is to provide more opportunities for First Nations, Inuit and Metis to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services in their communities.

Indigenous leaders are applauding the bill, which was one of the first five calls to action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

National Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Assembly of First Nations says the number of First Nations children in care — over 40,000 — is a human rights crisis and that more attention must be paid to the needs of First Nations children in Canada.

Bellegarde says the legislation is an important first step, but stresses the need to have it passed before Parliament dissolves for the October election.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Few Incentives In Spending-Heavy B.C. Budget, Global Downturn Worries Business

VICTORIA — British Columbia's budget pays too little attention to the potential impacts of a slowing global economy and a shifting housing market, business leaders say.

Few Incentives In Spending-Heavy B.C. Budget, Global Downturn Worries Business

Proposed Edible Pot Rules Are Wasteful, Would Leave Products Tasteless: Critics

Canada's proposed edible pot regulations would result in tasteless products wrapped in wasteful packaging, shutting out medical patients and fuelling a continued black market, critics say

Proposed Edible Pot Rules Are Wasteful, Would Leave Products Tasteless: Critics

Man Arrested, Charged In String Of Four Bank Robberies Over Four Hours In Surrey

Richard Orr, 24, Is Charged With Four Counts Of Robbery And Remains In Custody Following The Four-Hour Spree On Feb. 12.

Man Arrested, Charged In String Of Four Bank Robberies Over Four Hours In Surrey

Alcohol Policies Fizzle For Canadian Governments As Harms Overflow: Reports

VICTORIA — Two new studies say the federal and provincial governments must do more to reduce alcohol consumption after determining damages from drinking have surpassed tobacco use.

Alcohol Policies Fizzle For Canadian Governments As Harms Overflow: Reports

B.C. Review Board Says Man Allan Schoenborn Who Killed Kids A Threat, But Outings To Be Mulled

Schoenborn, who's now 50 years old, has been held at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital since before a 2010 court decision that found him not criminally responsible for killing his daughter and two sons.