Peace brokered in child protection dispute

The union representing front-line workers who protect vulnerable children is pleased the Honorable Ted Hughes has mediated a resolution to what has become a strained relationship between the Representative for Children and Youth, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, and the B.C. Liberal government. The BCGEU represents child protection and social workers around B.C.

Turpel-Lafond's right to view and publish aspects of confidential cabinet documents has been the source of the disagreement. In a public statement, Hughes said the dispute has now been brought to “a successful resolution”.

“We congratulate Ted Hughes for brokering peace in this dispute in a timely fashion,” said BCGEU president Darryl Walker. "The B.C. Liberal government has created an atmosphere of distrust and animosity in the child protection sector. We hope the government will now focus its attention on the welfare of thousands of vulnerable children instead of picking fights with the representative.”

Earlier this month, the BC Supreme Court found the B.C. Liberal government had failed in its legal duty to provide cabinet documents and other information to Turpel-Lafond. The court ordered the government to turn over the requested materials. The government had planned to curtail the representative's access to documents through legislation, but later abandoned the plan.