“In what you say of
another, apply the test of kindness, necessity and truth, and
let nothing pass your lips without a two-thirds majority.”
Perhaps her most quoted original
thought is this: “I brought children into this dark
world because it needed the light that only a child can bring.”
Zabeth Bayne is bringing
another child into the world. The world needs the light of this
child. It will be a boy and his name has already been decided.
The way I see it, MCFD has
absolutely no business being involved in this unborn child's life, or
this child's life upon birth. But MCFD is seeking to do so. We have
the evidences. Any attempt at involvement at the moment is harassment
and if it occurs after the child is born and the other three children
have been returned to the Baynes it will be nothing but
vindictiveness. Even now this invasion is liable to be brought to the
Representative of Children and Youth. It should not be assumed that
attention will not be paid now. In fact, while this case concerning
the continuing care of the three children waits for the decision of
Judge Thomas Crabtree, I can say that MCFD should never have been
involved with the lives of the Baynes' two sons. Those boys should
never have been in government sponsored care for these past three
years. Imagine Lawyer Finn Jensen arguing for his client, MCFD, to
have all three children, two boys and a daughter removed permanently,
when earlier in the same year he had advised his client (and it's on
record) that he and MCFD could not win a case with regard to the boys
because there was insufficient evidence. His client would not listen
to that advice. So Jensen sallied forth to press the unwinnable case
anyway. In the process he threw muck through which Judge Crabtree
must mentally tramp.
MCFD's behaviour in this
case, at least the local MCFD chapter has been reprehensible,
vicious, deplorable, condemnable. One descriptive word will not
suffice. MCFD not just locally is at fault because MCFD Victoria, the
Minister's Office and the Deputy Minister's Office have been well
apprised of this case and nevertheless remained detached. Or, perhaps
the head honchos told the locals, “Win this thing at any cost!”
Whether Victoria was silent or cheering, it has been disappointing
behaviour too. It is one thing to say a comment is not permitted when
the case is before the court. It is quite another response to endorse
in private communication or by silence the conduct of a regional
office when that conduct could destroy an innocent family and when
the outcome will surely be something for which Polak and Dutoit have
to answer down the road. Polak of course will be the one who faces
the press. Her answers under fire have been curt and clinical. She
will likely ask for a different ministry post when Falcon wins the
Liberal premier candidacy. Good governance is not something that we
have seen from MCFD with regard to Paul and Zabeth Bayne and their
children. For the countless other families, I wish I had assurance
that an NDP government would give us something better. NDP's track
record with MCFD is similarly grievous. It's a dismal picture.
