Winnipeg - The Pallister Government is still taking newborn babies into the care of Child and Family Services at the rate of a baby a day, just as the former NDP government did, said Manitoba Liberal Leader and MLA for St. Boniface, Dougald Lamont.
Manitoba has one of the highest rates of child apprehension anywhere in Canada. There are over 10,000 children in care in Manitoba - with over 85% being Indigenous. Lamont has said that addressing the issue of children in care is one of the most important moral issues facing the province. Of the 94 recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), the top five are dedicated to reducing the number of children in care.
New freedom of information (FIPPA) data shows that over a thousand infants under a month old have been apprehended by Child and Family Services (CFS) since 2015/16.
"Manitobans and Canadians should know that the video of a baby being seized shows something that is literally a daily occurrence in Manitoba," said Liberal MLA for Kewatinook, Judy Klassen. "What is disturbing, and frustrating, is that the current PC government has done nothing of substance to turn this around."
In May 2015, Liberal MLA for River Heights, Jon Gerrard revealed that the provincial government was apprehending a baby a day from Manitoba hospitals and called on the former NDP government to better support parents and families to keep kids out of CFS care.
"This is one of the most important issues facing Manitoba, because, for over a century, governments have been tearing Indigenous families apart instead of providing support," said Lamont. "All Manitobans should understand this is something we can address and improve together, and it does not need to be this way."
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