Editorials

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Helping native child care

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 07/20/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

The long-standing complaint of federal underfunding from First Nations communities that demand better service for struggling families has been answered. Now those communities and their leadership must answer the demand of provincial and federal governments that they spend the money where needed, deliver quality care and fully account for both.

Native children account for 80 per cent of those who are receiving care from child welfare agencies, which are guided by regional aboriginal authorities. Many of those children live on reserves, but the disparity between services to them and their families, compared with children who live in urban centres, is a direct result of the shortfall in federal funding -- the federal government is responsible for funding CFS programs on reserve; the province for everyone else.

On Monday, the Harper government moved to close the gap. Generally, for every provincial dollar now spent, Ottawa spends 78 cents on child welfare programs. The new cash, $177 million over five years, will flow into prevention programs that help families deal with their troubles before the children are in need of protection and must be placed in institutional or foster care.

The new deal between the federal and provincial governments and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs demands each agency meet defined terms for financial and program accountability. Weak governance and financial accountability among some agencies has been highlighted in a number of reviews following the deaths of children taken into care. Many have blamed weaknesses on underfunding and the speed with which power over the agencies was transferred from a central oversight body to regional aboriginal authorities. Ottawa had a weak case to demand improved service when it made the agencies work under the funding disparity. The agreement Monday helps level the field.

Chiefs are demanding greater say over the system, but the structure legitimately makes the provincial office -- and ultimately Family Services Minister Gord Mackintosh -- finally accountable for the care delivered to children. Boards with oversight of child welfare agencies cannot be heavily composed of political directors because this risks directors becoming deferential to political interests.

The First Nations child welfare system is still finding its feet under the new regime of authority. Stricter accountability will better serve the agencies, the children and families and the public. It is time to get beyond the growing pains that have carried for some too high a price, indeed.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 20, 2010 A10

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