DOUG HUGHES - NEW DIRECTOR OF CHILD WELFARE / 509

On March 31, 2011 Mary McNeil, the new Minister of Children and Family Development re-established the position of provincial director of child welfare by announcing the appointment of Doug Hughes as the new Provincial Director of Child Welfare. She did this in order to provide greater accountability across the province and improve child protection practice.

In so doing she has effectively reversed the decision of former children's minister Mary Polak and her ex-deputy Lesley du Toit, who abolished the position in 2008.  Doug Hughes, currently an assistant deputy minister with the ministry’s Interior region, holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Calgary.

HAS MCFD'S COMPLAINT RESOLUTION PROCESS WORKED FOR YOU? / 480

Hon. Mary McNeill & Hon. Steven Point

A new photograph of the Honourable Mary McNeill together with the Lieutenant Governor Steven Point on the occasion of her signing her oath of office is the only indication thus far that there has been a change of command at the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
 

Hon. Mary Polak

The Honourable Mary Polak is still pictured as the primary spokesperson of the Ministry to you when you see her and read her message of welcome to the MCFD website.

I'll cut Ms. McNeill and the Ministry a little slack since it has only been a bit more than a week since she took office and she has not been able to get to all of the tasks that will stack up in her inbox and task box. I wonder how soon she and her deputy minister will place their unique marks on the service plan and the CAPP. How much time must be granted to them as a learning curve?