This is a big file. I have had the experience of dealing with this issue. Children who are apprehended and are put in permanent care is not the way to go. I think that the social workers work hard to try and keep the families together, whether it be an extended family or not. Many times, there are issues that are pending. I know that I have dealt with this issue many times, not only territorially but cross-border in Alberta and BC and different parts of Canada, because we have members from all over Canada. One situation that I had was in Edmonton. I had to have a colleague of mine and myself sit outside a deputy minister's office for four hours in order to get access because they were going to take a child away from a grandmother. It was a very emotional experience. I know that we waited outside that deputy minister's doors to make sure that we caught her when she was coming out. That's how persistent I was in the whole file, and we were successful.
I think that children are extremely important, and the start of their lifespan and making sure that we don't use the wheel to re-invent any residential school issues. We have to look after the child at a young age and try to keep them with the family and unite them with the family, whether it be extended family or stay with family. Thank you.