Quebec already ready to review the law on DYP
In its most recent annual report, the DPJ unveiled a 12% increase in reports in 2019-2020 compared to the previous year.
(Quebec) Quebec is already ready to reform the Youth Protection Act in order to prioritize the well-being of the child and to question the priority currently given to keeping them in their biological family. This is one of the recommendations expected from the Laurent commission, whose report will be sent to the government on Friday and made public on Monday.
The Minister for Health and Social Services, Lionel Carmant, intends to table a bill this fall to strengthen the youth protection system.
The work is well advanced.
At the end of the hearings of the Special Commission on the Rights of Children and Youth Protection, in May 2020, President Régine Laurent let it be known that reflection was needed on the subject of "parental primacy" provided for in the law. The interests of the child should be reaffirmed more forcefully so that their well-being comes first.
The Legault government has decided to place this issue at the heart of its reform in preparation.
The current law provides that "any decision must tend to keep the child in his family environment". This rule sometimes results in children making several trips back and forth between their biological parents and foster families, which harms their development and the bond of attachment.
Put an end to the "waiver"
During a previous revision of the law, in 2006, Quebec wanted to put an end to this "ballot" of children, as it was said at the time. He had imposed maximum time limits on parents - from one to two years depending on the age of the child - to regain control and regain custody of their offspring.
However, these deadlines are often exceeded. And in two-thirds of cases, attempts at reunification with the biological parents fail, since the children are the subject of a new placement, according to a large study carried out among thousands of children from the DPJ and reported by La Presse. on February 15.
Researcher Sonia Hélie, attached to the Institute for Young People in Difficulty of the CIUSSS du Center-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, pleaded for the rights of the child to be reaffirmed. She did recognize, however, that the children's run-off had generally decreased over time.
Recommendations implemented
The Laurent commission was set up in the wake of the tragic death, in the spring of 2019, of a girl from Granby who was the victim of neglect and violence by her father and the latter's spouse. She had been followed by the DPJ for several years. In a decision rendered on May 30, 2018, a judge of the Youth Division followed a recommendation from the DPJ and kept the child and his brother with their father despite indications of "educational neglect, physical abuse and psychological ill-treatment ”.
Minister Carmant has repeatedly stated that the Laurent report will not be shelved. It has already implemented “preliminary” recommendations submitted by the Laurent commission last November. So, on March 17, he created the position of National Director of Youth Protection - the equivalent of an assistant deputy minister in the hierarchy. He appointed Catherine Lemay, previously Deputy CEO of the CISSS de la Montérégie-Est, to this position.
Pressurized system
The youth protection system is under pressure. The waiting list at the DPJ has increased in recent months to reach the same level as two years ago. More than 3,000 children are awaiting an assessment or other service.
In its most recent annual report, the DPJ unveiled a 12% increase in reports in 2019-2020 compared to the previous year.
118,000 have been counted.
For Quebec, the DYP has become an "emergency room" when it should rather be "intensive care" of services for young people. There is therefore work to be done upstream, and in particular in prevention and screening, according to the government.
The work is well advanced.
At the end of the hearings of the Special Commission on the Rights of Children and Youth Protection, in May 2020, President Régine Laurent let it be known that reflection was needed on the subject of "parental primacy" provided for in the law. The interests of the child should be reaffirmed more forcefully so that their well-being comes first.
The Legault government has decided to place this issue at the heart of its reform in preparation.
The current law provides that "any decision must tend to keep the child in his family environment". This rule sometimes results in children making several trips back and forth between their biological parents and foster families, which harms their development and the bond of attachment.
Put an end to the "waiver"
During a previous revision of the law, in 2006, Quebec wanted to put an end to this "ballot" of children, as it was said at the time. He had imposed maximum time limits on parents - from one to two years depending on the age of the child - to regain control and regain custody of their offspring.
However, these deadlines are often exceeded. And in two-thirds of cases, attempts at reunification with the biological parents fail, since the children are the subject of a new placement, according to a large study carried out among thousands of children from the DPJ and reported by La Presse. on February 15.
Researcher Sonia Hélie, attached to the Institute for Young People in Difficulty of the CIUSSS du Center-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, pleaded for the rights of the child to be reaffirmed. She did recognize, however, that the children's run-off had generally decreased over time.
Recommendations implemented
The Laurent commission was set up in the wake of the tragic death, in the spring of 2019, of a girl from Granby who was the victim of neglect and violence by her father and the latter's spouse. She had been followed by the DPJ for several years. In a decision rendered on May 30, 2018, a judge of the Youth Division followed a recommendation from the DPJ and kept the child and his brother with their father despite indications of "educational neglect, physical abuse and psychological ill-treatment ”.
Minister Carmant has repeatedly stated that the Laurent report will not be shelved. It has already implemented “preliminary” recommendations submitted by the Laurent commission last November. So, on March 17, he created the position of National Director of Youth Protection - the equivalent of an assistant deputy minister in the hierarchy. He appointed Catherine Lemay, previously Deputy CEO of the CISSS de la Montérégie-Est, to this position.
Pressurized system
The youth protection system is under pressure. The waiting list at the DPJ has increased in recent months to reach the same level as two years ago. More than 3,000 children are awaiting an assessment or other service.
In its most recent annual report, the DPJ unveiled a 12% increase in reports in 2019-2020 compared to the previous year.
118,000 have been counted.
For Quebec, the DYP has become an "emergency room" when it should rather be "intensive care" of services for young people. There is therefore work to be done upstream, and in particular in prevention and screening, according to the government.
Tommy Chouinard
Press
https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2021-04-27/rapport-de-la-commission-laurent/quebec-deja-pret-a-revoir-la-loi-sur-la-dpj.php
Press
https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2021-04-27/rapport-de-la-commission-laurent/quebec-deja-pret-a-revoir-la-loi-sur-la-dpj.php