News release

Amendment Introduced to Children and Family Services Act

Justice

An amendment to the Children and Family Services Act will ensure that peace officers have the authority to transport young people under secure treatment certificates or orders to and from court appearances.

It will also allow peace officers to escort youth from the Wood Street Centre in Truro on leaves of absence and to other appointments.

Currently, the Children and Family Services Act does not clearly authorize peace officers to perform this duty.

"This amendment is meant to respond to transportation options for young people in secure treatment," said Justice Minister Cecil Clarke. "Staff need a range of options to meet the needs of young people in secure care."

The Wood Street Centre in Truro, operated by the Department of Community Services, is Nova Scotia's only secure treatment facility. The centre provides short-term residential services to young people in the care of the Minister of Community Services who are suffering from an emotional or behavioural disorder, where it is necessary to confine the child to remedy or alleviate the disorder and where they refuse or are unable to consent to treatment.