Conditional sentence disappoints premier

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This article was published 02/06/2010 (5645 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PREMIER Greg Selinger says he’s "disappointed" with the conditional sentence handed to Shirley Guimond for her role in the death of her great-nephew, Gage.

The NDP government faced a barrage of Opposition questions Tuesday about the court decision and whether or not child and family service agencies are continuing to remove kids from good homes and put them into unsafe ones.

"This decision that was made by the courts is one that we’re obviously disappointed in," Selinger said in the legislature. "Gage Guimond lost his life tragically. We really believe that the recommendation of the Crown to have jail time would have been appropriate in this case…"

Justice Minister Andrew Swan said the Crown’s office will carefully review the 14-page decision. "If the Crown believes there is appropriate reasons for an appeal (of the sentence) then I will support them going ahead and doing that appeal," he said.

Conservative Leader Hugh McFadyen said Gage Guimond’s death was the result of the NDP’s "rushed, careless, reckless approach to devolution" of child and family services.

McFadyen said while the government passed legislation two years ago making a child’s safety the paramount concern in placement decisions, it’s critical that CFS follow through on that. "We’re not satisfied that has happened to date," he said.

— Larry Kusch