Briefing Document of Phase 3 of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry - Child Welfare Initiative

Special Focus: The Public Feedback Process and Developing an Implementation Plan

At this point, Phases 1 and 2 are complete (see Phases/Timelines). After a tremendous amount of work, the Implementation Committee presented the Conceptual Plan to the Joint Management Committee (JMC) on July 3, 2001. The JMC subsequently endorsed the plan for submission to the Executive Committee for review and approval.

The Executive Committee met on Wednesday, July 11, 2001, and officially gave their support to proceed with the public feedback process and the development of a more detailed implementation plan based on the Conceptual Plan.

The vision document based on this plan entitled, "Promise of Hope: Commitment to Change", describes the main features of the proposed system. It also provides information on the public feedback process that took place in August and September 2001. This document and an overview pamphlet are posted on other pages on this site. Hard copies of the documents can be obtained by calling our central information line at 945-1183 (toll free at 1-866-300-7503).

Phase 3 of the AJI-CWI process began August 9, 2001, with a Press Conference held at the Manitoba Legislative Building. The Press Conference officially released the vision document and the pamphlet, and launched the public feedback activities. In addition to the public feedback process, Phase 3 will also include the development of a Detailed Implementation Plan based on the Conceptual Plan and public feedback.

As part of the public feedback process, twelve Town Hall Meetings took place in both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities across Manitoba. In addition to the Town Hall Meetings, interested groups and individuals were encouraged to send written feedback by September 30, 2001. A online feedback page was also available on this site.

Focus groups were also held in various communities across the province to secure additional feedback. These sessions included youth in care, adults who have been in care, birth family members of children in care, foster parents and women's organizations.

Work now underway is focussed on the development of a Detailed Implementation Plan. It is expected that work on the Detailed Implementation Plan will be completed by August, 2002.