Quebec has been criticized for its slow response in making changes to the child protection system following the tragic death of a young girl in Granby in 2019.
The 7-year-old girl, who cannot be named due to a publication ban, died after being found in critical condition in her father’s home. Her father and stepmother have been charged with second-degree murder and unlawful confinement.
The case sparked outrage and raised questions about the effectiveness of the child protection system in Quebec. The girl had been under the supervision of youth protection services for several years, but her case was closed just months before her death.
In response to the tragedy, the Quebec government launched an independent commission to review the province’s youth protection system. The commission’s report, released in November 2020, made 190 recommendations for improving the system.
However, critics say that the government has been slow to implement these recommendations. According to a report by the Quebec Ombudsman, only 10 of the 190 recommendations have been fully implemented so far.
One of the key recommendations was to increase funding for youth protection services, which the government has promised to do. However, the Quebec Ombudsman’s report found that the funding increase has not yet been fully implemented and that there are still significant gaps in the system.
In addition, the report found that there is a lack of coordination and communication between different agencies involved in child protection, leading to confusion and delays in responding to cases.
The Quebec government has acknowledged the need for change and has promised to take action. In a statement, the Minister of Health and Social Services, Lionel Carmant, said that the government is committed to implementing the recommendations and improving the child protection system.
However, critics say that more needs to be done and that the government’s response has been too slow. They are calling for immediate action to prevent further tragedies and ensure the safety of children in Quebec.
The death of the young girl in Granby was a heartbreaking and preventable tragedy. It is clear that changes need to be made to the child protection system in Quebec to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The government must act quickly and effectively to implement the recommendations and ensure the safety and well-being of all children in the province.
