Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Social Programs reviewed Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Adoption Act, at its meeting on October 20th and November 6th, 2000. The committee would like to thank the Minister of Health and Social Services and her officials for presenting the bill at our public hearing on November 6, 2000. The Adoption Act was passed on November 1, 1998. This act provides for departmental, private and step-parent adoptions. Since the introduction of this legislation, the department has become aware that the legislation requires some practical changes to ensure the smooth running of the adoption process.

The committee members considered that these changes do not change the spirit and intent of the act. The act addresses a number of matters including providing for a deputy director of adoptions and a deputy registrar of adoptions. It expands, to some degree, the documents to be included in the adoption registry and specifically allows court documents in adoption files to be part of this record. It allows the director of child and family services to notify the director of adoptions when a child has been placed in permanent custody for protection reasons and is, therefore, available for adoption. This will increase the opportunity for these children to find homes with adoptive parents.

The amendment also allows the director of adoptions to withdraw approval that was previously given for the placement of a child when prior to the placement, information has become available that indicates the placement would not be in the best interest of the child. The legislation provides that adoption workers are to endeavour to give information as to services and supports to parents when placing a child, rather than only being obliged to give that information if the parents request it. It increases the level of disclosure required for adopting parents respecting any arrangement for consideration involved in the adoption of a child.

These changes, together with the changes that correct spelling errors or clarify wording, are intended to improve the legislative framework for the adoption process. During the public hearing of this bill, the Minister asked if the committee agreed to consider a motion to correct an error in the English version of clause 3, which described the French section. The bill was amended in committee.

Mr. Chairman, committee members may have additional comments or questions on this bill during the review in committee of the whole. Thank you.