JACKSON: Party to sue to force review of Children's and Family Services Act

NDP: Lack of committee against provincial law
Party to sue to force review of Children's and Family Services Act
By DAVID JACKSON / Provincial Reporter The Halifax Herald Limited
Thursday, June 23, 2005

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MLA Graham Steele said it's important because it would provide an outlet for people to express their views to someone other than decision-makers.

NDP: Lack of committee against provincial law

New Democrat MLA Graham Steele plans on going to court to force the province to follow its own law.

Mr. Steele said Community Services Minister David Morse is bound by statute to set up an advisory committee to review the Children's and Family Services Act.

There hasn't been such a committee since 1999.

According to the act, the committee should include two people who've had children who needed protective services, two members of minority communities, a legal aid lawyer, a representative of the department and the minister, and up to three other people appointed by the minister.

Mr. Steele, who learned a few months ago about the requirement for a committee, said it's important because it would provide an outlet for people to express their views to someone other than decision-makers.

He said the case of Larry Finck and Carline VandenElsen has highlighted issues relating to child protection orders.

The couple was involved in a three-day police standoff last year that started when Halifax police tried to enforce such an order.

Mr. Steele said that case isn't the reason he's going to court, but it's caused other people to come forward with concerns.

Mr. Morse said the province has advertised for people to serve on the committee but hasn't had any response.

"If Mr. Steele wants to do something constructive, and he knows somebody that would like to participate on this, we certainly would encourage him to send those people to the executive council office," he said.

Mr. Steele called that response "complete and utter nonsense."

"It's the most feeble, most ridiculous excuse that I can imagine," said the Halifax Fairview MLA.

"He knows that there are people out there who have asked him, begged him to set up the committee and volunteered to be on it."

Mr. Steele plans to file court papers Monday.

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Copyright © 2005 The Halifax Herald Limited