Debates of June 3, 2014 (day 34)

Date
June
3
2014
Session
17th Assembly, 5th Session
Day
34
Speaker
Members Present
Hon. Glen Abernethy, Hon. Tom Beaulieu, Ms. Bisaro, Mr. Blake, Mr. Bouchard, Mr. Bromley, Mr. Dolynny, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Jackie Jacobson, Hon. Jackson Lafferty, Hon. Bob McLeod, Hon. Robert McLeod, Mr. Menicoche, Hon. Michael Miltenberger, Mr. Moses, Mr. Nadli, Hon. David Ramsay, Mr. Yakeleya
Topics
Statements

COMMITTEE MOTION 57-17(5): REPORTING BY DIRECTOR OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES, CARRIED

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that the director of child and family services report annually to the Minister of Health and Social Services, as required under the Child and Family Services Act. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Dolynny.

Thank you, Madam Chair. As much as this motion is simplistic in design, its lack of performance, I believe, has caused the complexity that we see here before us today, and I think that was echoed loud and clear through the Auditor General’s findings.

Moreover, I think members of this committee and I think the public at large are still quite perplexed that there was no reporting function, which is a statutory requirement of the department on this child and family services area, for well over a decade.

Again, without that information, it’s very confusing and a bit daunting that a department is able to guide themselves through the rigours of trying to satisfy the needs of our most vulnerable in society.

So this motion, again, as simple as it is, clearly states a statutory obligation to which we hope that, moving forward, the department sees as an important part of the legislative process. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. To the motion. Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We agree with the intent of recommendation number 13; however, rather than tabling individual audits, it may be more practical and more appropriate to amend the format of the annual director’s report to include the information that’s outlined in the Standing Committee on Government Operations’ recommendation number 15. I have already committed to tabling that report, so it may be more practical for us to modify the content of that report rather than individual audit reports. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister Abernethy. To the motion.

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Question.

Question is being called. All those in favour? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Dolynny.