Consultation continues in Sask. overhaul of foster care

Process began six years ago

Saskatchewan’s provincial government says it is “still consulting ” on a major overhaul of the foster care system, which it first announced six years ago.

Social Services Minister Paul Merriman said there are still a “few things we’re waiting for” when it comes to consultation, including a potential announcement from the federal government on its own plans for foster care.

The total number of children in the care of the province continues to increase year over year.

At the end of September 2014, there were 4,628. On the same date in 2017, there were 5,180 children. This year on Sept. 30, there were 5,227.

The total number of children in care within that time period has increased an average of three per cent each year.

Merriman said the province is keeping an eye on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations related to foster care.

The TRC called for sweeping changes to Canada’s child welfare system and a reduction in the number of kids in care.

“We want to make sure this process is done in a timely and respectful way,” he said.

Pressed for a timeline on when the long-called-for changes could be coming, Merriman said it would be “very soon.”

“I would say within the next 12 to 18 months is when I would like to move forward, but again, I don’t want to rush the process. I want to make sure it’s done in a respectful way that everybody has their opportunity to input,” he said.

NDP social services critic Nicole Rancourt said the process to date has been “frustrating.”

“We’re still waiting for a lot of these regulations to be going forward,” she said, adding other provinces are moving forward on overhauling child welfare laws in order to reduce the number of children in care.

“I’m not quite sure why it’s taken this long,” Rancourt said.

While some changes described as “administrative” have been made to child welfare laws, much more significant changes are being considered.

That includes a proposition to repeal Persons of Sufficient Interest (PSI) legislation and build a new kinship care framework to offer a balance of responsibility between extended family and government care.

In place since 1989, a person of sufficient interest is defined in a section of the Child and Family Services Act and aims to be designated for a child who is in need of protection.

The government has considered replacing PSIs with a “kinship care framework” that will offer a “balance of responsibility between extended family and government care.”

We’re still waiting for a lot of these regulations to be going forward ... I’m not quite sure why it’s taken this long.