News Release Archive
COMMUNITY SERVICES--LAW TO PROTECT CHILDREN TO BE STRENGTHENED ----------------------------------------------------------------- Early intervention for children at risk -that's the promise and the intent of changes to provincial law introduced today by Community Services Minister Jim Smith. Changes to the Children and Family Services Act would allow social workers, police and other authorities to step in when there is "substantial risk" of abuse and neglect. The current law requires that proof -- physical marks, bruising or other bodily damage -- be present before authorities can intervene. "We see what is happening elsewhere in our country. Our children are vulnerable. We must act to protect them," said the minister. The ability to detect cases of child abuse will be greater, the minister said. The time frame for bringing a charge of failure to report abuse will be expanded from one year to two. Police and agencies that investigate child abuse will be given access to the Child Abuse Registry and information will be shared across provincial boundaries. Other amendments propose greater scrutiny for all adoptions, requiring that child care agencies be involved prior to adoptions taking place. Under the proposed changes all adoptions would be subject to a home study, counselling and briefing for all parties on adoption issues. "We cannot have different standards of care for our children, - some for state-sponsored adoptions and others for private adoptions. All children and birth mothers deserve the same standard of care, the same safeguards. This change will provide for that care," said Dr. Smith. The bill, An Act to Amend Chapter 5 of the Acts of 1990, The Children and Family Services Act, responds in large part to recommendations of the advisory committee under the Children's and Family Services Act and to requests from children's aid societies and adoption experts. -30- Contact: Margaret Murphy 902-424-4880 trp Apr. 04, 1996 - 11:35 a.m.