Government lambasted over Gervais case on day one of spring session

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – On the first day of the spring session of the legislature, the official opposition is blasting the BC government for its record on foster care and how cuts in staff and lack of permanent homes led to one teen taking his own life.

Opposition member Doug Donaldson struck out at the government, asking them why they didn’t do more to help Alex Gervais find a permanent home.

A report last week from the BC Representative for Children and Youth detailed Gervais’ abuse and neglect within the province’s foster care system.

The teen bounced between 17 different placements, and ultimately committed suicide from the window of an Abbotsford Super 8 Motel where he had been left unsupervised.

“This BC Liberal government oversaw the largest cut to social workers in the province’s history. That is their legacy, and Alex paid dearly for the premier’s and this minister’s cuts,” Donaldson says.

Minister of Children and Family Development Stephanie Cadieux shot back, saying the government is working to fix the gaps.

“I heard we needed more staff, we’ve hired 200, there’s another 100 on the way. We needed to improve permanency, we focused on that, and we’re getting results,” she says.

Premier Christy Clark says efforts to clarify, change, or improve the ministry’s guidelines around foster care are underway in response to Gervais’ death.

“We all have a role to play in this,” Cadieux adds. “Foster families are aging. New people are not stepping forward. We will have a need for contracted resources for some youth… before we’re able to find them a residential setting.”

The finance minister says the Children and Family Development Ministry can expect extra money when the province’s budget is tabled next week. He did not provide details.

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