Ministry of Children and Families – Duty to Report Child Protection Concerns
The Office of the Provincial Director of Child Welfare, the Ministry of Children and Family Development (“Ministry”) have been providing information to police, health care practitioners, educators and social service providers relating the legislated duty to report child protection concerns to a child welfare worker. Carissa Boyd, Quesnel Intake Team Leader, informed Council:
· There is a duty to report to the Ministry of Children and Family Development, under the Province’s Child, Family and Community Service Act, when you believe a child or youth, under the age of 19, is being abused or neglected.
· It is a criminal offence to not report promptly, or to knowingly make a false report, concerns regarding a child/youth’s welfare that comes with a $10,000 fine and/or up to 6 months in prison.
· When responding to child welfare reports, the Ministry focuses on the strengths of the family and the family’s support networks and works to put family supports and family services in place; with the removal of the child/youth only as a last resort. Not all reports are responded to as a measured screening tool assists child welfare workers in determining if a child/youth is really being neglected or abused. In 2015 child welfare workers completed 23,000 responses in British Columbia with 10% of those responses resulting in the removal of the child or youth.
· To make a child/youth protection report call 1-800-663-9122; or if the child/youth is in immediate danger, call the RCMP immediately at 9-1-1.
· If a child or youth would like to talk to someone call the Children and Youth Helpline at 310-1234.
· For more information please see the Ministry’s Handbook at http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/child_protection/pdf/child_welfare_your_role.pdf.
Five Year Operational Agreement – Soccer Complex
Council approved a License of Occupation with the Cariboo Regional District and the Quesnel Youth Soccer Association (“QYSA”) to manage the soccer complex. QYSA has managed the Soccer Complex since 2003 (outdoor fields) and 2006 (indoor Sport Field Facility). Each year QYSA will receive $70,000, which will be increased yearly based on inflation, to manage the property and is responsible for all operating costs, including utilities, snow removal and building, field and parking lot maintenance. The City of Quesnel and the Cariboo Regional District are responsible for the cost of capital improvements to the property.
HandyDART Services in Quesnel
Council asked the Executive Committee to look at the City’s HandyDART bus services. A group of concerned citizens have expressed concerns over the lack of HandyDART bus services Friday through Sunday preventing attendance at social gatherings and community events that are often held on weekends.
Environmental Assessment of the Blackwater Gold Project
New Gold Inc. is proposing an open pit gold and silver mine approximately 100 kilometers south of Vanderhoof, B.C. The proposed mine would produce 60,000 tonnes/day of gold and silver ore, over 17 years. New Gold Inc. will be holding a public comment period and information session in Quesnel on February 9, 2016 at the Best Western Plus Tower Inn, located at 500 Reid Street, with further details to be publicized in the near future.
The Public can submit their comments from January 20 to February 19, 2016 by:
· www.eao.gov.bc.ca
· blackwater@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
· Fax: 250-398-2208
· Mail: Blackwater Gold Project, Canadian Environment Assessment Agency, 410-701 West George Street, Vancouver, B.C. V7Y 1C6
Bylaws
- Bylaw 1788 - MTI Amendment – First Three Readings (Housekeeping Amendment)
- Bylaw 1789 and 1790 – OCP/Zoning Amendment – Single Family Residence in a Downtown Zone (500 Block of Reid Street) - First Two Readings and Public Hearing Date Set for 7 pm on February 23, 2016 in Council Chambers
Next Meetings
- Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 5:30 pm – Special Open - North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee
- Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 7 pm – Regular Council
No comments:
Post a Comment