June 11, 2002

PROPOSED LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO RESTRUCTURE CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES SYSTEM IN MANITOBA

Proposed legislation to create an improved child and family services system that will be more responsive to the needs and cultures of all Manitobans has been introduced in the Manitoba legislature, Family Services and Housing Minister Tim Sale said today.

The historic process of changing the system has been led by the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry – Child Welfare Initiative (AJI-CWI), which includes representatives from the provincial government, the Manitoba Metis Federation, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak. This initiative, along with existing child and family services representatives, has examined ways to address the child welfare recommendations of the AJI report.

The proposed Child and Family Services Authorities Act is an important first step toward a new Child and Family Services Act and Adoption Act, Sale said. The legislation will lay the groundwork by creating four new organizations, called child and family services authorities, which will manage the delivery of services under the restructured system.

"The introduction of this legislation, unprecedented in Canada, is part of our response to recommendations from the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry," said Sale. "First Nations and Metis representatives have played a key role in developing this important legislation, which will make the child and family services system more responsive to the needs of all children and families in Manitoba."

Manitobans were asked for input into the restructuring of the child and family services system, based on a vision document called Promise of Hope: Commitment to Change. Over 1,000 people provided comments during public consultations held across the province late last year.

"During this process we carefully considered the public’s input, which identified support for restructuring and confirmed the importance of recognizing the right of First Nations and Metis peoples to develop and control their own child and family services," said Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson.

The four new organizations created through the proposed act would be:

• Metis Child and Family Services Authority;
• First Nations of Northern Manitoba Child and Family Services Authority;
• First Nations of Southern Manitoba Child and Family Services Authority; and
• General Child and Family Services Authority.

"Not since the government of Louis Riel has the Province of Manitoba so thoughtfully shown support and recognition of the Metis people of Manitoba," said David Chartrand, president of the Manitoba Metis Federation. "This proposed legislation recognizes our distinct right and responsibility to care for our children in ways that are unique to our culture. For the first time in the history of child welfare services of this province, decisions regarding Metis children and families will be made by Metis people."

"Traditional teachings tell us that children are gifts from the Creator and now First Nations will have full responsibility to implement our inherent rights," said Grand Chief Dennis White Bird of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. "As the great Chief Sitting Bull said, ‘Let us put our minds and hearts together and see what we will make for our children.’ Today marks a momentous occasion as the First Nations, Metis and province have achieved this vision."

"Under this new legislation, First Nations’ child and family services agencies will, for the first time, be able to deliver services directly to our people off-reserve throughout the province," said Grand Chief Francis Flett of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak. "This represents a major advancement in the child and family services system in Manitoba."

Information on the AJI-CWI process and the legislation is available on the Internet at: www.aji-cwi.mb.ca.

- 30 -

News Releases