Human rights body wants total overhaul of system
What the commission recommends
- The Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services must make children and families a key priority.
- Makivik Corp. must oversee the creation of a committee – made up of medical, educational, municipal, social and justice organizations – to co-ordinate efforts aimed at strengthening youth protection. The human rights commission must receive a copy of this committee's work plan and schedule.
- Quebec's minister of health and social services must ensure that Nunavik children receive the protection services to which they are entitled.
- The Ungava and Hudson Bay directors of youth protection must designate one or more staff members to help case workers understand the Youth Protection Act.
- The Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services must train staff in how to carry out the measures required by the Youth Protection Act.
- The Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services must set up local committees to help carry out youth protection measures.
- Nunavik's CLSCs must establish abuse detection and prevention programs for children aged 0 to 5, and maintain social services for children aged 0-18.
- The Kativik School Board must introduce social services into the school system.
- The Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services must run more programs offering treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, physical and sexual abuse, and mental health.
- Children must be evaluated before being placed in a foster home
- Foster families must be assessed to ensure they meet the needs of children.
- Foster families for children aged six to 12 and who have severe behaviour problems must be recruited.
- Youth rehabilitation centres must respect the civil rights of youth.
- Isolation punishments at youth rehabilitation centres and group homes must only be used in a lawful manner.
- Youth workers must be trained in the application of the federal Youth Justice Act.
- Nunavik's two health regions must set up employee assistance programs.
- "Traditional" adoptions must be assessed, along with the child and the prospective parents.
- Quebec's minister of native affairs, the Makivik Corp., and the federal government must develop measures to deal with the housing problem.
- The Kativik Municipal Housing Bureau must take the interests of children into account when assigning housing.
- Quebec's minister of justice must fix the administration of justice so that children don't have to take three-day trips to give evidence in court – this could include using video-conferencing and appointing a resident judge for Nunavik.
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