Without question child protection work in B.C. over the past fifteen years has become increasingly complex due to the directives within the Child, Youth and Community Services Act and the emphasis on judicial involvement and the ensuing litigation, and for that reason has become increasingly politicized and publicized. Media coverage will not diminish soon. In fact I see it being stepped up. That will surely be true if and when the Baynes case in court is decided in their favour. Look forward to the month of August 2010. The coverage will be heavier and extended if Judge Crabtree's ruling in favour of the Baynes is accompanied by a scathing indictment of the actions of the Ministry of Children and Family Development, Fraser Region. Mary Polak, Minister of MCFD whose residence and riding is in Langley is most interested to know how this case will turn out. She has been aware of the Baynes for a couple of years. She has met them. Despite all of our individual letters of support for the Baynes directed to Ms. Polak over the past many months, she cannot and has not intervened or interrupted the process of one region's handling of an individual case, specially when it is before the court. Post Bayne case however, she may feel compelled by conscience or principle or powers to begin to inquire judiciously into the child protection work of her vast Ministry portfolio because a conscientious person cannot permit this to continue.
It is becoming apparent to observers that the Baynes are merely the poster children or high profile example of a widespread ministry sink hole. There are hundreds of other children and parents who could be together now if this Ministry were geared philosophically and practically to help and to heal the behaviours and the relationships within families that allow them to survive. Many that would be together if this Ministry exercised investigative expertise and discerning compassion. Notwithstanding the cases where children are safer away from their biological homes, there are many children who do not need to be living in foster environments as commitedly good as some are. So many moms and dads who did not need to be put through ordeals that made them feel like criminals, like outcasts. So many social workers who have been sleepless because they wrestled with wanting to do more that was emotionally and instinctively helpful but instead were directed by supervisors to hard-line a custody battle at all costs.
I believe the ruling in the Bayne case is of such importance to this province, to our population, to our government, that its outcome will catalyze the future of child protection in B.C.
"Efficiency is doing things right, effectiveness is doing the right things" Peter Ferdinand Drucker
