by the British Columbia Law Institute (BCLI)
Can you share your views on BCLI’s proposals to reform our province’s main child protection law?
About the proposals
Last month the British Columbia Law Institute published its Child Protection Project Committee’s Consultation Paper on Modernizing the Child, Family and Community Service Act. In this consultation paper the committee is asking for public comment on its proposals to government to reform British Columbia’s main child protection law.
“The committee has taken a focused review to the Act and found selected areas in need of improvement,” noted committee co-chair, Corinne Feenie. “The committee is proposing changes to the Act’s definitions, disclosure provisions, provisions for independent legal advice, and selected court
procedures and orders. The committee is also proposing new provisions to incorporate children’s views into child protection proceedings and for legal representation for children.”
“The committee hopes to receive a wide range of responses to its consultation paper,” said committee co-chair, Katrina Harry, a member of the Esketemc First Nation. “Due to the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in the child welfare system, it is particularly important that the committee receives feedback from Indigenous communities, representatives, and agencies, and the committee specifically welcomes and will solicit such input. Public response is important and will be taken into
account as the committee forms its final recommendations.”
How to share your views
Go to the BCLI website, where you can find:
- Copies of the consultation paper
- A backgrounder summarizing its contents
- A response booklet
- A link to the committee’s survey
The deadline for responses is 15 January 2021.
About the British Columbia Law Institute
The British Columbia Law Institute was created in 1997 by incorporation under the provincial Society Act. Its purposes are to promote the clarification and simplification of the law and its adaptation to modern social needs, promote improvement of the administration of justice and respect for the rule of law, and promote and carry out scholarly legal research.
Stay informed:
