Some communities in Manitoba have more children in the CFS system than in their schools: Gerrard

 Winnipeg – Jon Gerrard, Leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party and MLA for River Heights lambasted the Minister of Family Services and Consumer Affairs, Gord Mackintosh today for the growing number of Manitoba children who have been removed from their families.  A report issued by the Office of the Children’s Advocate on April 27, 2010 shows a 30% increase in the number of children who have been apprehended by the government since 2005. 

 “I recently visited the communities of Berens River, Little Grand Rapids, Bloodvein, and Pauingassi where there are more kids who have been apprehended and taken out of the area than are enrolled in the local school,” said Gerrard.  “Community leaders suggested that the lack of addictions treatment, early childhood education, jobs, and recreational facilities is creating a difficult environment to raise kids in.”

 Gerrard called on Mackintosh to disclose the NDP’s plan to reduce the number of children in care and to increase support programs to parents.

 “The safety of children must always be paramount, but we must ensure that all Manitoba communities have the services that people need to become healthy, strong parents.  We cannot continue to allow families to disintegrate at this alarming rate,” said Gerrard.

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For more information, please contact: Michelle Nyhof, Communications Officer for Manitoba Liberal Caucus at (204) 771-2513 or michelle.nyhof@leg.gov.mb.ca