Debates of May 16, 2007 (day 8)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the act, as we're amending it, would allow for the use of justices of the peace during the initial stages, and that's the apprehension hearing, up to a temporary hearing. After that it would be through a full judge process. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Ms. Lee.

Thank you. Thank you for that answer. My second question is to do with the input we received from witnesses about the pressure our judicial system is under. Just yesterday, under our supp, we approved additional funding for sheriff services and other court officer services. I think it's very likely that with the shortening of the process that we're amending here, that there might be additional pressure being put on judicial systems. I'd like to ask the Minister if he could make a commitment to work with the Minister of Justice to see whether we could somehow forecast the workload and look at the possibility of addressing that. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, we have worked with the Department of Justice the potential impacts of these amendments, and our calculation, looking at the existing caseloads that we have out there right now, is about 120 to 130 additional cases at the existing level. We've worked with the Department of Justice; they're aware of that and feel that we are able to handle that and they would, as well, be looking forward into our business planning process if there is a concern in that area. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just a last follow-up and it has to do with the potential additional work being placed on child protection workers. While there's mention of a social worker who came to talk to us, we've had occasions to meet and talk to other government workers, some of them being child protection workers, during our public hearings. It was obvious to us that they're not fully aware of these amendments. In one way, I could understand that because the government workers would be advised of the change to process once it's in place and they may not be advised of it at the front end. But I want to just ask the Minister to, for the record, tell us what steps are going to be put in place in order that not only the front-line workers are informed about these changes, but that the upper management would work with the front-line workers to be prepared for this condensed time period. Because while we are not experts, I think we could foresee that there will additional pressure put on these workers on a process that already is quite high pressure. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, this area, indeed, is one where there will be additional workload. As we've stated through this process, that the department, through these amendments, will be held more accountable for their actions and we'd have to be prepared for that. The department has looked at a number of areas. For example, there's first the coming into force which, if passed, would be looking at January 2008. With that in mind, we're working to meet that date by revising the documents and materials that can be provided to families when children are apprehended, as well as public information documents, revised policies in the child and family services standards and procedures manual, along with the new court forms and administration processes for handling the apprehension hearings, and then upgrading the child and family services information system. As well, specifically for our staff in the field is training for over 70 social workers and supervisors from across the territory, as well as regional training, and then the development of a curriculum and materials to offer that initial training, as well as changes in addition to the existing statutory training program for new child protection workers. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Any further general comments? Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act. Claus 1.

Agreed.

Clause 2.

Agreed.

Clause 3.

Agreed.

Clause 4.

Agreed.

Clause 5.

Agreed.

Clause 6.

Agreed.

Clause 7.

Agreed.

Clause 8.

Agreed.

Clause 9.

Agreed.

Clause 10.

Agreed.

Clause 11.

Agreed.

Clause 12.

Agreed.

Clause 13.

Agreed.

Clause 14.

Agreed.

Clause 15.

Agreed.

Clause 16.

Agreed.

Clause 17.

Agreed.

Clause 18.

Agreed.

Clause 19.

Agreed.

Clause 20.

Agreed.

Clause 21.