Mr. Chairman, I can only speak to those issues that actually get to me. I can well imagine there are ongoing decisions made at the desks of CEOs or executive directors of the various boards all the time. Certainly, in our view, the exceptions that I speak to are ones that I deal within consultation with the superintendent of child welfare.

Mr. Chairman, what I would like to know is, have all the people who deal with these matters been informed that there can be exceptions? If people do not know there can be exceptions, they probably even would not bring the matter forward.

Mr. Chairman, it is my view that the broad approach, the principles and the constraints that we feel are on the system are all part of the development, training and education of workers in the system. I think we have signalled clearly that there is an avenue to consider practical issues. I think the awareness is fairly and evenly distributed through the system. The very fact that I stress toward exception means that we turn down applications as exceptions all the time because we do not feel they need to proceed. There are alternatives. Thank you.

Was there some sort of a directive, a memo or a letter written and sent out to all the people who deal with foster children so they know there could be an exception and which also indicates what factors to consider in the event there is a family member who is available to look after a child?

I am not aware of a specific memo, letter or directive. I know that has been the subject of discussions between our departmental representatives and board representatives, but I am not directly aware of a memo or a directive.

Mr. Chairman, was every board represented at those discussions?

I do not know the answer to that, Mr. Chairman. I know every board was invited. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The reason I asked, of course, if every board was there is because there was an indication that this information has been clearly signalled and evenly distributed. If every board was not there, then it has not been evenly distributed. If every representative was not at that particular discussion even if they were at the meeting, then it has not been evenly distributed. If there is not a piece of paper that has gone to everyone, then I do not believe it has been evenly distributed either. What types of factors are looking at when the department decides if there should be an exception and that a family member would be financially assisted in looking after a foster child?

Mr. Chairman, the people involved in trying to manage the needs of the children would have discussions with the extended family. There has to be a judgement made as to whether that extended family is capable or if there would be undue hardship if they were asked to bear the cost of time, energy and money to support these people. In addition to that and maybe the most practical thing to do if we were to try to meet the needs of a child who might be caught up in something here, is if the Member could, at some other venue, give me some details and we can look into it. But I believe we have communicated to people our willingness to take a practical view, to be flexible and ensure we keep the best interests of children in need, front and centre with us. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is very difficult to determine how well they have received this information. All I have heard is that board members were told in discussions. Were they all at one big conference or just board members in separate discussions? That is the problem. It is difficult to ascertain to what extent people have actually been informed. Can we get just a bit more information in that area, Mr. Chairman?

Mr. Chairman, I would be pleased to discuss this matter with my staff and provide an elaboration of their view of the kinds of material or documentation that was used to support this discussion, where it was, the time of day and the frequency of perhaps phone communication that may have gone on further to that to help support or elaborate on our willingness to be flexible. We can certainly provide that back to the Member and the committee.

Agreed.