Subject: FW: Letter from the Honourable

From: MCF Correspondence Management MCF:EX [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2016 2:26 PM To: Mayor Cc: OfficeofthePremier, Office PREM:EX; Bond.MLA, Shirley LASS:EX; Morris.MLA, Mike LASS:EX Subject: Letter from the Honourable Stephanie Cadieux

VIA E-MAIL Ref: 226282

His Worship Mayor Lyn Hall City of Prince George E-mail: [email protected]

Dear Mayor Hall:

Thank you for your letter addressed to the Honourable , Premier, regarding the interim report, Decision Time, by Bob Plecas and expressing concerns of the Prince George City Council with respect to the safety of children and youth in care of the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). As Minister of Children and Family Development, I am pleased to respond on the Premier’s behalf.

I appreciate your concerns. The Province’s commitment to help vulnerable families and reduce poverty is a top priority which is why government continues to take significant steps to help children and families across the province.

The interim report by Mr. Plecas represents the experience and advice of a number of experts in the fields of law, government administration and child welfare, and illustrates some of the key choices MCFD must make if the child welfare system is to move forward. This ministry is taking the next few months to carefully consider the recommendations contained in the report to determine how best to proceed. An implementation team will be established that will be responsible for guiding the development of the multi-year plan that Mr. Plecas suggests, while incorporating advice from stakeholders and partners over the next few weeks and months.

With respect to your comments regarding the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth, any matters pertaining to the role and mandate of that office are for the Legislature and the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth to consider at an appropriate time, consistent with section 30(2) of the Representative for Children and Youth Act. Accordingly, suggestions pertaining to the role and mandate of that office will not be a part of a multi-year plan developed by the ministry.

Thank you again for writing.

Sincerely,

ORIGINAL SIGNED BY

Stephanie Cadieux Minister pc: Honourable Christy Clark

1 Honourable , MLA Prince George-Valemount Honourable , MLA Prince George-Mackenzie

Sent on behalf of the Minister by:

EXECUTIVE OPERATIONS ClClient Relations Branch CLIENT RELATIONS' fxExecutive Operations '- r MMinistry, of Children and Family Development

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