B.C. minister must stop growling at children's watchdog
The Province
November 28, 2007

One of the most damaging scandals of Premier Gordon Campbell's government has been the inept handling of its crisis-torn child-protection system.

The tragic failings were chronicled last year in a report by respected former judge Ted Hughes that included no fewer than 62 recommendations for change. So embarrassed was the government it was obliged to utter solemn assurances it would implement each and every one.

Central to Hughes' findings was the urgency to re-appoint an independent watchdog on behalf of children in the government's care, most of whom are aboriginal.

To its credit, the government responded quickly by selecting a woman with a stellar record of achievement -- a woman, indeed, of native background, and therefore in the best possible position to comprehend the daunting challenges involved.

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond has shown a steely resolve to tackle the rot in the system.

Sadly, however, that does not appear to have been matched by the government.

In a report to a legislative committee, she stated that, of Hughes' 62 recommendations, only 18 had been implemented. And she linked the lack of progress to "insufficient leadership" at senior levels of government.

Tom Christensen, the children's minister, responded by rebutting Turpel-Lafond's report even before she had officially released it, and blaming her for a "communications breakdown."

That simply will not do. Christensen's duty is to see his government lives up to its promise -- not to sabotage the efforts of the woman hired to help him fulfil it.