Thank you, Mr. Speaker. According to the Auditor General, the department is not adequately meeting its responsibilities under the act. The department does not have an adequate accountability framework in place. Neither the department nor the regional authorities have adequate mechanisms in place to ensure key responsibilities are being met.

Even with a long-standing awareness of such problems, the department has failed an entire

generation of children and families. Since the publication of previous reviews of child and family services in 2000 and 2010, little has been done in the way of systemic analysis or action to address the weaknesses.

Dramatic changes are required. The department must assess resource needs, fix the accountability framework, improve standards and procedures and provide better training to child protection workers.

The committee is encouraged that the Minister accepted the Auditor General’s recommendations and plans to implement them. At the same time, Members are understandably sceptical because of the department’s lacklustre response to earlier reviews of this kind.

In conclusion, the committee reiterates the words of the Auditor General: changes are within the department’s immediate control. The department is at a critical juncture. It must go beyond making minor adjustments and overhaul the system.

Recommendation 30

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the government provide a comprehensive response to this report within 120 days.

That concludes the presentation of our report.