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Report on First Nations child welfare released (10/02/24)

Feb. 24, 2010

(Multimedia)

FREDERICTON (CNB) – Ombudsman and Child and Youth Advocate Bernard Richard today released a report entitled, Hand-in-Hand: A Review of First Nations Child Welfare in New Brunswick.

In his report, Richard recommends sweeping changes to the child welfare system on First Nations, reducing the number of agencies to three from the current 11.

Richard also calls for the establishment of a single First Nations Child and Family Services Office that would provide financial and administrative functions to the three agencies. Furthermore, he provides recommendations related to funding, governance, service delivery standards, training and accountability.

“My objective was to recommend changes that will reduce the duplication of administrative work being done in each community in order to maximize frontline social work services,” said Richard. “In my view, it is necessary to maintain and augment the number of social workers in each community who provide culturally based services and to give them access to the same resources employed by social workers in the rest of the province.”

Richard, in his report, also delves into the deep-seated issues affecting First Nations communities, such as poverty, drug addictions, domestic violence, and the erosion of the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet cultures and languages.

“It was essential to examine the underlying social, economic and cultural conditions for this report,” said Richard. “To simply put in place an improved child welfare system would not be enough to truly create equal opportunities for First Nations children. For real change to occur, we must address the determinants of child welfare and focus on prevention-based solutions.”

Copies of the report will be available online. To request a paper copy, call 1-888-465-1100 or e-mail, nbombud@gnb.ca.

10/02/24

EDITOR’S NOTE: Following is a backgrounder on Hand-in-Hand: A Review of First Nations Child Welfare in New Brunswick. MEDIA CONTACT: Bernard Richard, Office of the Ombudsman and Office of the Child and Youth Advocate, 506-453-2789, nbombud@gnb.ca.

Backgrounder: Hand-in-Hand: A Review of First Nations Child Welfare in New Brunswick

In May 2009, the Minister of Social Development asked the Child and Youth Advocate to review and make recommendations about the child welfare services provided in New Brunswick’s 15 First Nations communities.

Bernard Richard, the ombudsman and child and youth advocate, consulted widely and produced a report that gives voice to the concerns expressed by First Nations youth, their families, community leaders and service providers.

The report’s many recommendations are aimed at all levels of government: federal, provincial and First Nations. Beyond that, the report asks all New Brunswickers, First Nations and non-Aboriginals alike, to work together to achieve equal opportunity for all.

Part I of the report focuses on the delivery of child welfare services in First Nations communities. Richard recommends a rationalization of service delivery, reducing the number of agencies from to three from 11 and establishing a single First Nations Child and Family Services Office from which certain financial, administrative and specialized child welfare services would be offered.

In Richard’s view, the strengths of the current service delivery model (such as Head Start programs for young children, community-based service delivery, social work outreach to the child’s family and community, and the active offer of culturally based child welfare practices) must be retained and strengthened.

Richard recommends that the entire reform process be guided by the Touchstone Principles of First Nations child welfare: self-determination, non-discrimination, holistic and structural interventions and respect for culture and language.

The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) is committed to moving to a more prevention-based service delivery model, but more funding from INAC and other federal agencies will be required for the prevention-based model to succeed.

Richard said the provincial government must also support service delivery by sharing its information management and case management tools; by supporting the roll-out and maintenance of payroll services and information systems to the new First Nations Child and Family Services Office and its agencies; and by helping regional Department of Social Development offices and First Nations agencies to work collaboratively, share training events and benefit from new initiatives such as family group conferencing.

According to Richard, chiefs and councils will have to shoulder collectively the task of governing the First Nations Child and Family Services Office and agencies while maintaining and improving investments in their own communities to ensure that children come first.

Beyond this reform of service delivery, Richard, in his report, calls for bold action to address the root causes of the disadvantages faced by First Nations children.

Part II analyzes the situation of children in First Nations communities. Richard noted that First Nations children in New Brunswick are six times more likely than other children to be taken from their homes and placed in foster care; four to five times more likely to be charged as young offenders; and may be at greater risk for health issues such as obesity and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Moreover, Richard noted that the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet languages are dying and may not survive past the next generation unless immediate measures are taken.

Richard invited all New Brunswickers and all levels of government to take new approaches to housing, job creation, economic development, drug monitoring and treatment and law enforcement.

Furthermore, he said, it is essential that new investments be made in early childhood development, youth sports and recreation, and cultural and linguistic preservation and promotion, in order to build resiliency and strong identities and to reinforce the strong attachment to community and family among First Nations children.

“When all New Brunswickers work together toward this goal, we will make swift progress and become, at long last, the living example of equal opportunity that we can aspire to be,” Richard said.

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VICTORIA – The Ministry of Health Services has launched a consultation with stakeholders to determine the best model to deliver ambulance services in British Columbia.

The consultation follows the release of a report from industrial inquiry commissioner Chris Trumpy, who was appointed by Minister of Labour Murray Coell to come up with options to improve service delivery and the structure of collective bargaining for the Emergency and Health Services Commission and the union representing paramedics, CUPE Local 873.

The consultation, which will occur over the next three weeks, will focus specifically on three options outlined in the commissioner’s report:
• Closer integration with the health system.
• Close integration with other emergency service providers.
• Opportunities for private sector service delivery.

Senior Ministry of Health Services staff are expected to consult with a variety of stakeholders from within the provincial government, health-sector unions, other emergency health-service providers and the private sector.

The government has made it clear that regardless of the option chosen, it remains committed to a provincially co-ordinated system of ambulance service delivery.

BC Ambulance Service and CUPE 873 continue to have productive discussions at the bargaining table and are making progress on a number of different issues that have been identified as being priorities for both sides. The government is hopeful that through this consultation and ongoing discussions that a new contract can be developed before the current one expires on March 31, 2010.

BC Ambulance Service budget rose 75 per cent in the past eight years – from $181 million in 2001-02 to an estimated $310 million in 2009-10.

BCAS operates 187 ambulance stations with a fleet consisting of 480 ambulances, 47 support vehicles and nine dedicated ambulance aircraft across the province.

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The committee was chaired by Dr. Dennis Furlong, a former provincial health minister and long-time family physician in the Dalhousie area, and included senior staff and medical representatives from each regional health authority.

“The provincial government recognizes that a co-ordinated provincial trauma system is a necessary and important step to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals who sustain critical injuries,” said Schryer. “I thank the advisory committee for its time and expertise in developing an excellent report that will guide the development of the trauma system.”

A toll-free trauma line will be established this spring to ensure that emergency departments have access to trauma specialists, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The no-refusal policy will prevent delays in transferring trauma patients to the nearest facility equipped to treat their condition.

Schryer said additional initiatives are being undertaken to support the integrated trauma system including:

appointing new trauma team physician leaders in level 1, 2, and 3 trauma centres;
the development of standardized provincial policies and procedures;
funding trauma training to critical care nurses, as well as basic-trauma assessment training for paramedics; and advanced trauma life support training for physicians;
the creation of new provincial trauma system positions, such as trauma (nurse) co-ordinator, and trauma registry/data analyst;
a trauma data system to collect information for future injury prevention programs, research, education, and quality assurance; and
enhanced coverage for diagnostic imaging to provide continuous on-site CT technician services at level 1 and 2 trauma centres.
Schryer also announced two new committees, which will include key leaders from both regional health authorities and the Department of Health. A new trauma system advisory committee will provide advice and long-term planning for trauma services. A trauma program management committee will also be established with responsibilities for the delivery of quality trauma services, as well as prevention, pre-hospital care and rehabilitation.

“The findings and recommendations contained in the final report provide the blueprint needed to build the integrated trauma system,” said Schryer. “Now the hard work of making this a reality begins. These two new committees will be responsible for putting this blueprint into action and providing ongoing guidance and advice on the operation of the trauma system.”

She outlined initiatives already completed to support the new trauma system. Dr. Marcel Martin, a general and trauma surgeon, has begun working as medical director of the Provincial Trauma Program. Also, the department has invested $800,000 in new equipment for the Level 1 and Level 2 trauma centres. These include defibrillators, an articulating arm, physiological monitors, an IV rapid infusion pump, and tele-health and videoconferencing equipment.

Furlong said the final report marks an important milestone in the development and implementation of a trauma system.

“This report is not the culmination, but the beginning of an important process that will take continued co-operation, time and energy from all those involved in the provincial health care system,” said Furlong. “The work achieved will support the delivery of a provincial trauma system, which is a necessary and important step to ensure the safety and well-being of those sustaining critical injuries.”

http://www.gnb.ca/cnb/news/he/2010e0171he.htm

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VICTORIA – The industrial inquiry commission reviewing different service delivery and operational models for the B.C. Ambulance Service, including options on an appropriate collective bargaining structure, has delivered its report to Minister of Labour Murray Coell.

Commissioner Chris Trumpy’s report was received by the Minister on Jan. 15, 2010. It also examines issues relating to staff recruitment, training and retention; staff workload and occupational health and safety; deployment strategies; and total compensation for paramedics and dispatchers.

The report has been provided to CUPE Local 873, the union representing B.C.’s paramedics and dispatchers, and their employer, the Emergency and Health Services Commission.

“Mr. Trumpy has submitted a thoughtful and comprehensive report that will help inform the broader discussion about redesigning the B.C. Ambulance Service and the bargaining relationship between paramedics and their employer,” said Coell. “I have forwarded the report to my colleague, Minister of Health Services Kevin Falcon, who will be reviewing it.”

On Nov. 19, 2009, Trumpy was appointed as a one-person commission under the B.C. Labour Relations Code to examine the B.C. Ambulance Service. The report is non-binding, providing options for further consideration by government to help improve service delivery and the structure of collective bargaining for the Emergency and Health Services Commission and CUPE Local 873.

The complete report is available at: : www.labour.gov.bc.ca/pubs/pdf/IIC_Report_Jan_10_2010.pdf.

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Municipalities and businesses have an opportunity to comment on Nova Scotia’s strengthened drinking water standards and guidelines.

Improvements to the Municipal Water Approvals Protocols will reflect changes to the Health Canada drinking water guidelines and new treatment technologies.

“These updates will bring Nova Scotia’s water treatment standards in line with national guidelines,” said Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau. “We are continuously working to improve our treatment process to ensure it meets the highest standards.”

Nova Scotia’s Guidelines for Monitoring Public Drinking Water Supplies are also being improved.

“Nova Scotia’s drinking water is safe. Meeting new guidelines will ensure that it remains that way,” said Mr. Belliveau. “The province’s municipal drinking water is tested regularly. These guidelines simply raise the standard for Nova Scotians.”

Municipalities and businesses affected by the changes have until March 31 to comment on the proposals. Information on the consultation process, and the proposed guideline updates, are available at www.gov.ns.ca/nse/water/.

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Issue: Canada has no national regulations to control the import or movement of crustaceans, molluscs or finfish species other than salmonids for disease control purposes. In areas where programs for the control of aquatic animal disease exist, implementation is limited and varies between provinces/ territories. This leaves Canada’s aquatic resources vulnerable to devastation by the introduction or spread of diseases and also leaves exporters vulnerable to market closures. Canada’s regulatory infrastructure currently lags behind international standards for aquatic animal health control measures.

Description: Amendments to the Health of Animals Regulations and the Reportable Diseases Regulations are needed to address regulatory gaps and to implement Canada’s National Aquatic Animal Health Program (NAAHP). Federal intervention is required to meet international trade standards and prevent loss of aquatic resources due to disease introduction or spread. The proposed amendments to the Health of Animals Regulations (the Regulations) add aquatic animals and diseases of national and international significance to the regulatory framework currently applied to terrestrial animals. The regulatory changes require the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to be informed of the presence of listed diseases and implement controls to prevent these diseases from being introduced into, or spread within, Canada.

Cost-benefit statement: These regulations ensure aquatic animals, and their products that pose a risk of listed disease spread, meet the requirements of international standards for national aquatic animal disease management. This supports Canada’s reputation for high quality seafood exports and the CFIA’s current investment in securing market access (domestic and international).

In 2006, Canada exported marine, freshwater and aquaculture fish and seafood products worth $4.1 billion, representing 85% (in value) of catches and aquaculture production. Imports for the same period were worth $2.1 billion, some of which were processed and re-exported. Fishery harvest and processing industries represent a multi-billion-dollar investment to coastal and rural economies in Canada, including Aboriginal communities. In 2006, marine and freshwater fisheries employed (directly and indirectly) 51 462 people, while the processing industry and aquaculture employed, respectively, 28 587 and 3 970 people. Furthermore, money spent on recreational fishing activities contributed $7.5 billion to local economies across Canada.

Increasingly stringent international standards are driving seafood importing nations to require Canada to certify health (disease) status, not just food safety, of live aquatic animals and their products. Without the proposed regulatory amendments, Canada cannot meet these standards, and is facing increasing challenges to export market access. Canada is already subject to a lesser market access than the United States, Europe and some other nations due to our current, outdated, federal regulatory framework.

Business and consumer impacts: Import controls and compulsory notification of regulated diseases would support the health attestation required to access current markets and would also increase the competitive access for Canadian fish and seafood to new export markets. The regulatory amendments would also reduce Canada’s current vulnerability to losses by a wide range of seafood sector users due to the introduction or spread of infectious diseases. Costs of compliance for businesses and individuals involved in importing live aquatic animals and products or movements within Canada from high-risk to low-risk areas would depend on the conditions imposed to mitigate the risk of disease transfer.

Currently, if an aquatic disease were to be discovered in one part of Canada, it would have the potential to affect the disease status of the whole country. This amendment would allow for areas to be designated as infected and as buffer areas, thereby preserving a higher status in the rest of the country.

The impact on consumers would be minimal as table ready seafood is not controlled under the proposed regulatory amendments. However, the protection given to Canada’s aquatic animal resources would help sustainable productivity which, indirectly, benefits consumers with stable pricing.

Domestic and international coordination and cooperation: Canada is a member of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), which has 175 member countries and is the international standard-setting body for the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement), as applied to animal health. Canada is an active member at the world and regional levels, and is working with the United States on measures applied to shared waters. Canada is working to ensure that the application of the standards are aligned with those of key trade partners, such as Europe. The regulations proposed for the amendment are based on the international standard with specific conditions to protect Canada’s aquatic resources and health status.

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“It just makes sense to limit pesticide use to what is actually required to accomplish a particular task, which is why we already require the use of integrated pest management for many pesticide uses in B.C.,” said Penner. “We now want to have a discussion about how we can encourage all British Columbians to reduce unnecessary pesticide use.”

An online public consultation launched today asks British Columbians for their views on a number of issues, including: how to define the cosmetic use of pesticides, when it is appropriate to use pesticides and how to best regulate specific pesticides that have both cosmetic and non-cosmetic uses.

The B.C. Government’s August 2009 speech from the throne committed to consulting British Columbians on how to further safeguard our environment from the use of chemical pesticides for cosmetic uses.

Pesticides used in B.C. must first be approved by Health Canada and are also regulated through the Integrated Pest Management Act, which sets rules for both the sale and use of pesticides. The act requires pest control companies to practice integrated pest management, which includes pest prevention and considering alternatives to pesticides. The act also requires that people be notified when pesticides are used on public land, and around multi-resident buildings.

The public consultation, officially launched today, will remain open until Feb. 15, 2010. The results of the consultation will be made public in the spring of 2010, along with information about any next steps to address cosmetic use of pesticides in British Columbia.

People can participate in the consultation by visiting the website at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/ipmp/ and clicking on the Cosmetic Use of Pesticides Consultation button.

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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.

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