British Columbia's Uninvestigated Child Deaths

Judging Campbell

Terry Smith, B.C.’s chief coroner is one of six people reviewing the very sad state of affairs of the forgotten children. Is it just me or is Terry Smith likely in conflict here. Will he be able to sit in judgment of his own actions taken as a result of decisions he made?

I do not question this man's integrity but I do have concerns about the people that appointed the panel. They did appoint some strong critics of the government, yet they appointed the Chief Coroner, the guy that did not or could not do the reviews of child deaths in BC.

He would much likely be a better witness than contributing judge.

"Why did it take until November 14, 2005 before the Chief Coroner revealed that there could be 80 investigations that were halted, only to have that number increased to 713 on November 17th?"
 David Schreck Strategic Thoughts.com
Original Article

Dix Repeats Calls for Independent Children's Commissioner

A. Dix: I say, with due respect to the Attorney General's outstanding career and contribution to and aid of this province, that his efforts on this file — his disrespect for its importance that he exhibited outside the House yesterday — are, I think, worthy of an apology.

Justice Gove identified the individual children as a real problem, a problem where children who die under the government's care go unnoticed and uninvestigated. Those were the words of the Premier of British Columbia when he called for an independent children's commissioner in the 1990s. I ask the Attorney General to consider those remarks, to consider all the children other than Sherry Charlie who need the government's protection and today announce his intention to have a real independent children's commissioner for British Columbia.

Hon. W. Oppal: I'll read for you section 3 of the act: "The functions of the child and youth officer are to provide support to children, youth and their families in obtaining relevant services and to provide independent observations and advice to government about the state of services provided or funded by government to children and youth in British Columbia."

Again, I reiterate what I said yesterday. We are examining here the circumstances of a terrible tragedy that took place in our first nations community. It's my duty and my function and my fervent hope that we all set aside our political differences and engage in that activity so that we can prevent similar tragedies from

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taking place. Regrettably, the opposition has turned this into a political hunt, and that isn't the function of what we're here for.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

[1430]

ATTORNEY GENERAL
HANDLING OF REVIEW OF
DEATH OF SHERRY CHARLIE

A. Dix: Hon. Speaker, the Attorney General has, I think, an important and profound responsibility to speak for all citizens of this province. This issue, the issue of the Sherry Charlie report, has been an important issue before him for months. He didn't bother to read the report. He didn't bother to read the mandate of his child and youth officer. He didn't bother to keep himself up to date when he was deciding, according to his own words, the mandate for a review of the matter.

I think — with great respect to the Attorney General and, as I say, his long and distinguished record of public service — that those actions require, on his part, an apology to the people of British Columbia and, on his part, evidence of an effort that he will try to commit himself to do better in the future.

Hon. W. Oppal: I would invite the hon. member to take part in the review, as he has been invited. It's my hope that he will.

I do have a letter here from Ms. Morley that she released at 12 noon today. In it, she states as follows:

I have decided that I will issue a wide-ranging special report on the many systemic issues raised by the events surrounding Sherry Charlie's death, including the role played by MCFD workers and by other agencies. I will also examine the impact of the cuts to child and youth services funds on this tragic case. My report will be ready before March 31, 2006.

She goes on to state:

The systemic policy questions are obviously critical. I will request Adrian Dix, MLA, and Shawn Atleo, regional chief for the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations and a member of Sherry Charlie's nation, to be involved in this process. If Shawn Atleo cannot serve, I will ask him to name a delegate to do so. I would also like to involve a member of the government caucus in the process who is not a member of cabinet.

I think that indicates that on this side of the House, we are desirous of finding out exactly what happened so that these tragic events do not repeat themselves.

Official Hansard Transcript - September 22, 2005

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