A Calgary-based parent advocacy group wants action from Alberta to address the increase in deaths of children in provincial care, or receiving protective services.
More children have died in the system in 2014/2015 than in any other year.
Eight of those have been since April 1. The average number of deaths per year since 2008 has been 23.
Dawn Kennedy was one of the organizers of a weekend protest demanding an ombudsman for families, and additional oversight. She was unhappy with the province’s response. A spokesperson from Human Services Alberta defended the province’s record investigating the deaths.
“I know for a fact that nothing has changed. There is no investigation happening,” says Kennedy
Back in March 2015, Rachel Notley campaigned on the issue of increasing funding to services for family and child protection. The proposed PC budget would have cut services by $49 million.
Today the premier’s office denied backing off that promise, yet declined to commit to better funding.
Five children have died under provincial care or supervision in the past 7 weeks.
