Oversight of Children's Aid Societies

Andrea Horwath, the Hamilton NDP MPP, will soon be re-introducing the Private Members' Bill that is asking for the Ombudsman Office of Ontario to have oversight over the Children's Aid Society. Andrea has also been forwarding petitions to those who have asked.

I cannot post a link to the petition on the forum, since I have it only in the form of a Word attachment. I can forward the petition - in Word format - to you via email

Below is the exact wording of the Petition itself. It can be used to make your own format up, but, you can also receive the actual Word attachment by asking me for it, either on the forum, by PM. Alternatively, Sheila White can be contacted at:

Sheila White
Executive Assistant to
Hamilton Centre M.P.P. Andrea Horwath
Room 112, Main Legislative Building
Queen's Park, Toronto ON M7A 1A5

Tel: (416) 325-2777
Fax: (416) 325-2770

www.andreahorwath.ca

Quote :

To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows,

Whereas, Ontario is one of the few provinces that does not have independent oversight of child welfare administration, and

Whereas, eight provinces now have independent oversight of child welfare issues, including child protection; and

Whereas, all provincial Ombudsmen first identified child protection as a priority issue in 1986 and still Ontario does not allow the Ombudsman to investigate people’s complaints about Children’s Aid Societies’ (CAS) decisions; and

Whereas, people wronged by CAS decisions concerning placement, access, custody or care are not allowed to appeal those decisions to the Ontario Ombudsman’s office.

Therefore, be it resolved that we support the Ombudsman having the power to probe decisions and investigate complaints concerning the province’s Children's Aid Societies (CAS).

NAME ADDRESS POSTAL CODE PHONE # E-MAIL SIGNATURE

<space for names>

Return to MPP Andrea Horwath, Room 112, Main Legislative Building, Queen’s Park , Toronto, ON M7A 1A5 (416) 325-2777

This is long overdue - I hope that changes come about from this petition.

Too many lives have been ruined, courtesy of the CAS in Ontario.

I couldn't agree more. After much research and listening to the stories of countless parents (not to mention documentation and audio recordings that proove the maliciousness of this agency) this is a matter I feel strongly about and I have devoted my extra time to this cause.

If there is anyone here that is interested in signing the petition that doesn't feel comfortable with printing one up and gathering signatures please feel free to contact me via PM and we can arrange a time to meet and you can sign mine.

Those who are willing to print off petitions and gather signatures please leave me your email either on the forum or in PM and I will email you the petition.

The families of Ontario need you.. you just never know when it can happen to you. I think that's the biggest problem is the stereotyping and the belief that the CAS only removes children from the most dangerous of homes. All it takes is some research to see that is not the case. There is this stigma and the media feeds people propaganda that would lead them to believe that the CAS is this wonderful agency that protects children.

As strongly as I feel, I don't dismiss the fact that there are children who in fact DO need protection but if you notice those are often the children who are left in their homes. Their parents are given chance after chance. Yet, the CAS persecutes innocent families needlessly using affidavits full of perjury and they will never admit their mistake. They've made countless children crown wards without a second thought even when they have the proof of parent's innocence.

Children are abused, neglected and murdered in the system designed to protect them and those cases never reach the media. It all needs to stop.. it's time to go back to the best interests of the children.

June 6, 2008
A rally earlier tentatively scheduled for early July now has a quorum and will take place on July 9 and 10 in Ottawa. Persons interested in participating can email Elizabeth at the email address in the message below.


screen name: Elizabeth

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:17 pm

Subject: Ottawa Parliament Hill Rally

The final steps are being put in place for the rally in Ottawa organized by "Bulldog" et al.

The dates for the rally are July 9th and 10th

come for one day or come for both!

We hope to see as many of you that can make it there and there will be petitions available to sign to be given to Andrea Horwath.

if you need any further information please feel free to contact

cas.accountability at gmail dot com

Source: Canada Court Watch http://www.canadacourtwatch.com

Andrea Horwath's Bill for Ombudsmen oversight was introduced today. When I have more details I will post them. This is exciting news for families and those who believe family and not the system should be raising children.

Perhaps in the near future there will be much needed oversight of these PRIVATE (yes private) corporations that legally kidnap children. Along with oversight will hopefully come accountability.

As it is now, workers are not held responsible for destroying families in bad faith, committing perjury and fabricating evidence nor are they held responsible for placing children in abusive foster homes. A system designed to protect children should do just that.. not tear apart innocent families and put children in even more abusive situations.

The families and children of Ontario need to stand behind Andrea and her Bill. There will be more news in the coming months.

Andrea Horwath is a great lady! I spoke to her once re. the ODSP and their "computer error" where hundreds of letters were sent out to the disabled saying their assistance had been terminated! (Our son lives in Hamilton.)

She is an aggressive lady with both a big heart and some teeth, both at the same time. She contacted ODSP and effectively made an issue of their error. I admire her greatly. She is right there on the frontlines speaking up for the people.

I agree 100% Ontario (and all of Canada) need more people like her representing them!

The Bill is known as Bill 93 and info will be available here shortly..

http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=2036&detailPage=bills_detail_status