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MLA Report - Sept. 28, 2018

Number of children in care went down for first time in 15 years
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Congratulations to all the new Canadians who participated in the citizenship swearing-in ceremony at École Riverside School in Thompson this week. It was my pleasure to share in their joy along with their friends and families, and to welcome them to our country. Sixty-seven new citizens from 13 countries took part, and I thank them for choosing Canada as their new home. This ceremony is always enjoyable for all in attendance because it’s a celebration, and we know our country is stronger with these new citizens.

As October begins, our government is resuming the legislative session with a goal of improving services for Manitobans, and the Child and Family Services (CFS) system is a major part of this. We are pleased that the number of children in care in our province has decreased for the first time in 15 years. This indicates our government is on the right path in its work to improve CFS, and we thank the authorities, agencies and workers in the system for their efforts and commitment.

Numbers from March 31, 2018 show 10,328 children in care in Manitoba, which is a 3.6 per cent reduction from a year earlier. As well, family reunifications have increased by more than eight per cent and apprehensions have decreased by more than nine per cent over the past year.

Nearly a year ago, our government launched a plan to reform CFS to reduce the number of kids in care, decrease their number of days spent in care, foster more lifelong connections and better co-ordinate services. As well, a legislative review committee on child welfare has made recommendations to us following a four-month consultation with more than 1,500 people, agencies and others. The committee’s report highlights a need to create stronger connections to community and culture, especially for First Nations, Métis and Inuit families. 

Separately, this year’s Orange Shirt Day is Sunday, Sept. 30, marking a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration in British Columbia five years ago. It stems from a memory of a girl having her orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at the mission. Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity to prepare anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the school year in the spirit of reconciliation.

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