Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Return to an oral question asked by Mr. Gargan on December 7, 1993.
During 1992, there were eight departmental and 31 private adoptions, for a total of 39. Of these, only 15 aboriginal children were placed in non-aboriginal homes.
The department adoption program gives preference to aboriginal children being placed with extended family or other aboriginal families. Aboriginal children are placed in non-aboriginal families as a second choice. Mothers who choose to place their children for departmental adoption are offered a variety of services, including counselling by local workers.
In private adoption matters, placement of the child is the sole decision of the birth parent(s) and notice is given to the superintendent of child welfare. The department has no authority to prevent placement by aboriginal people of their children with non-native families. Mothers who choose to place their child through private adoption can receive counselling through the department, if they so desire. Private adoptions are essentially a legal matter and social services' involvement occurs usually only after the child has been in the adoptive placement for six months.
The department's response to the family law review on private adoption will be to provide culturally sensitive counselling in the communities to birth parents. Birth mothers will be provided with information pertaining to their rights and the advantages in keeping their child in the same culture and community. The department will propose legislative changes to protect the rights
of birth parents.