Does BC have a child welfare system that is incapable of improvement?

The B.C. Children’s Representative’s most recent report, Lost in the Shadows, is another heartbreaking examination of yet another massive failure of a system that barely seems able to tie its own shoelaces, let alone begin to protect a child.

Vancouver Sun columnist Daphne Bramham took a penetrating look at the Representative’s report on February 7. Today, the Vancouver Sun kindly printed my comments on both  Ms Bramham’s column and the report.

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond has pulled no punches. She rarely does. The question remains: is there any real will to change BC’s Child Welfare system? The equally devastating aspect of her report is that a whole variety of caregivers and professionals could not find a way to protect one 14 year old. God knows, there were plenty of opportunities.

I hope as many as possible  read the report.