‘Not a day goes by that I don’t think about Tina,’ says Irvin-Ross

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This article was published 11/12/2015 (3953 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba’s family services minister said she’s relieved an arrest has been made in the Tina Fontaine case and pledged to improve Child and Family Services to honour the indigenous girl’s memory. 

Kerri Irvin-Ross commended the Winnipeg Police Service for the arrest of 53-year-old Raymond Cormier, who’s been charged with second-degree murder in the August 2014 death of the 15-year-old Sagkeeng First Nation resident, whose body was pulled from the Red River one week after she went missing from CFS care.

“Nothing can bring this child back to our family, but I hope that the news brings them some peace and justice for Tina. We realize what challenging case this was for the Winnipeg police Service and we commend them on their tireless efforts,” Irvin-Ross said Friday in her office at the Legislative Building. 

“Not a day goes by that I don’t think about Tina. I’m motivated to work harder every single day to improve CFS in order to honour the life of Tina Fontaine.” 

Police said Fontaine and Cormier had several encounters at a home on the east side of Winnipeg and allege the teenager was murdered in this residence. 

Irvin-Ross said she could not comment on the specifics of the investigation or say what CFS workers knew about this home or the suspect in her murder. 

She said the arrest allows the Children’s Advocate to proceed with its own investigation. “We needed to make sure we don’t interfere with the investigation by police,” she said. 

Irvin-Ross said she could not say whether any provincial staff will be punished for their role in Fontaine’s disappearance until the advocate’s report is complete.

“We had a responsibility to provide support for this young child and ensure her safety. We needed to do a better job,” the minister said.

She said Child and Family Services has taken measures to improve and pointed to the end of hotel placements for minors, the introduction of customary care and the hiring of more staff.