Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that the Department of Health and Social Services build stronger linkages with Aboriginal governments pertaining to child and family services. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. To the motion. Mr. Nadli.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. It’s very clear in the Auditor General’s report, about 90 percent of the children that are involved with child and family services are First Nations children, so it is imperative on this government to at least build a working relationship with the First Nations governments. Whether it be at the local or else the tribal level or else at the territorial level, that’s something that needs to be done. This relationship is going to be critical in terms of the success of how the government responds to the Auditor General’s report, so it’s essential that the working relationship is established. Perhaps the seeds of the relationship on other matters have been built already, so this is just continuing the bridge of ensuring the lines of communication are open and, at the same time, sharing of ideas. I think that’s critical to at least address the many concerns that are raised in the Auditor General’s report.
The other thing, too, is we need to ensure there’s at least some fluidness in terms of ensuring there’s a very smooth system we have at least with headquarters and regional authorities and First Nations Aboriginal governments that are interested in being involved with this process, and I think now is the opportunity to build up on those relationships.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. To the motion. Mr. Abernethy.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. With respect to building the stronger linkages with Aboriginal government, we agree, and to that end we will be looking to add child and family services to our agendas for government-to-government meetings with the Aboriginal governments and we will ensure that there is appropriate follow-up at the staff level.
Thank you, Minister Abernethy. To the motion.
Question.
Question has been called. The motion is carried.
---Carried
Mr. Nadli.
