Monday June 26, 2023 | VICTORIA, BC [Updated 10:30 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
In recent days, Mitzi Dean, Minister of Children and Family Development, has been under fire in the political realm surrounding the harm to two children at the hands of foster parents.
Today Premier David Eby was asked if Minister Dean should be resigning over the evident failures by ministry representatives to fulfill on the obligation to children and their safety.
All parties were Indigenous — both the parents (who were criminally charged, convicted, and given 10-year jail sentences) and the two children who were harmed. An 11-year-old boy died. The couple was charged with aggravated assault over the harm of an 8-year-old girl.
The two children were brother and sister, in care under the BC child welfare system.
Earlier today Premier Eby said that “social workers were supposed to be checking on them”. He added: “Minister Dean and myself are as horrified” as everyone else. “She and her team are doing a full review,” said Eby.
Eby said the government is limited as to how much can be said about the case, due to privacy rules.
Official Statement (2:30 pm, June 26, 2023):
Mitzi Dean, Minister of Children and Family Development, has issued the following statement in response to the representative for children and youth’s investigation announcement on Monday, June 26, 2023:
“I am heartbroken at what these children endured and I extend our deepest apologies and condolences to the family, friends and communities that have been impacted by this tragedy, including Indigenous Peoples across the province who have experienced and continue to experience the trauma of a broken child-welfare system.
My ministry is fully supportive of the representative for children and youth’s investigation. The ministry will support and participate in all efforts to bring the facts to light and will assist the representative in any way that she deems necessary. We will address all recommendations to improve the safety of children and youth in care.
These children deserved safety, support and love and they were failed at every level. In partnership with First Nations leadership and Indigenous partners, we are determined to continue making the systemic changes that are needed to support Nations in exercising their inherent jurisdiction to provide their own services for their children and youth.
Every young person in care must be able to trust the adults and caregivers in their lives to act with their best interests in mind, and to provide them with safety, care and support. Our focus is on protecting children and youth and ensuring their well-being.”