Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think that's what makes it very difficult because I do respect the process that's in place. I have all the confidence that it's probably working in the majority of cases. It's just the situations that don't work that end up coming to my office and I don't want to see a situation where there is political interference in these cases. That makes it very difficult for all of us because these people when they have these situations where their children are being taken away, and they are doing everything they can to work with a social worker but it seems whatever they do, it's just not enough even when the court decision is in their favour. In the cases where these families find themselves at this stage, they might have lost the confidence and trust of either the social worker, the supervisor or even the director because they all come from the same body called "social services" and they can't distinguish between the Minister or the department or the board. It's just a whole system of social workers who seem to not work with them. I am not in a position to know all the details, but I do get the sense of frustration. So I am wondering if the Minister has looked into any sort of independent body of maybe someone in the private sector who could determine this and bring them in to look at the situation and see if the case is being dealt with fairly and so that everybody could step back and take a look at it. Has that ever been tried?
Sandy Lee on Bill 3: Appropriation Act, 2003-2004
In the Legislative Assembly on February 18th, 2003. See this statement in context.
general Comments
Bill 3: Appropriation Act, 2003-2004
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 17th, 2003
Page 142
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