PCs Call for Inquiry into NDP Negligence
NDP families minister too busy for children in care: Stone
WINNIPEG — The Official Opposition today called for an inquiry into the NDP’s failure to protect a Manitoba teen who pleaded to be moved out of her unsafe foster home two months before she was found dead, allegedly killed by a violent offender out on bail.
“One child dying due to negligence is one too many,” said Midland MLA Lauren Stone, PC Critic for Families. “Manitobans demand action from the NDP government now, so that the next time a child calls out for help, someone will be there to answer. We cannot let a tragedy like this happen again.”
Myah-Lee Gratton, 17, was tragically killed in February in an alleged mass murder involving four other victims in southern Manitoba. Myah’s mother, of Cross Lake First Nation, revealed to media this week that Child and Family Services (CFS) had been made aware of the dangers present for Myah, but refused to act.
“On Monday, I brought forward a motion to create a special committee of the legislature and bring experts to the table to review the laws protecting Manitoba’s children,” said Stone. “But NDP families minister Nahanni Fontaine blocked that motion, denying experts from having a much-needed seat at the table for this important review.”
Similarly, Fontaine denied a motion Wednesday for an urgent public debate in the legislature on foster care. Fontaine flippantly dismissed the motion, saying she had “work to do,” implying she was too busy to stay in the House and address foster parents in the gallery. Both the PC and Liberal parties supported the debate, and the Advocate for Children and Youth agreed that the issue needed to be discussed.
“The minister has now had three opportunities this week to stand up for children in care, and she has refused every single time,” said Stone. “This is a nonpartisan issue. Manitoba children need our help. The NDP need to commit to an inquiry today so that no child falls through the cracks like this again.”
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