WARNING: This article contains sensitive details. Santé Québec has requested an independent investigation following the deaths of three children, all in the same month, under the care of the Batshaw Youth and Family Centres, the province’s anglophone youth protection agency. The health authority has asked the Bureau de l’inspectrice nationale (BIN) to look into the causes, potential shortcomings, challenges, risks and areas for improvement in the delivery of its services, according to a press release published Tuesday evening. The BIN’s National Inspector is responsible for conducting investigations and inspections of living environments with a focus on public health issues. The BIN said it will also assess the measures already put in place by the organization Santé Québec – Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, the health authority responsible for Batshaw Youth and Family Centres, the release says. “Throughout the process, the BIN will ensure, where necessary, that safety nets are put in place for service users by the organization, where applicable,” the press release says. “Based on its observations, it may recommend management-related interventions, propose corrective measures or initiate any other action deemed appropriate to ensure the quality and safety of services.” The health authority says it will remain informed of the developments of the investigation to ensure actions are implemented promptly. Santé Québec – Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal said in a statement to CTV News that it welcomes the independent review and that it will cooperate with inspectors. It says measures have already been implemented to improve delivery of services to youth and families, including redeployment of resources, seeking support from other organizations within the network, monitoring services and reducing wait lists. “We are confident that this process will enable us to establish the facts, gain a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding these events, and validate and improve our internal review processes and improvement plans, which will help to enhance the quality and safety of the services provided to children, young people and their families,” Santé Québec – Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal wrote. Quebec parties demand answers In March, a 16-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy under the care of Batshaw died by suicide. A four-year-old girl who showed signs of abuse and malnutrition also died. These deaths were first reported in the Montreal Gazette and La Presse, and were later confirmed to CTV News by a Batshaw employee. The deaths prompted an investigation by Quebec’s coroner. The independent investigation comes after Québec Solidaire and the Quebec Liberal Party called on Lionel Carmant, the minister responsible for social services and the fight against homelessness, for answers. On Tuesday, Brigitte Garceau of Quebec’s Liberal Party denounced the minister’s silence and not commenting on the story sooner in a press release. “It was deplorable that our minister, our government, had not publicly come out, at the very least, to transmit their condolences to the families of these three children,” Garceau told CTV News in an interview. Guillaume Cliche-Rivard, health and social services spokesperson for Québec Solidaire, said in a statement on July 24 that what occurred was worrying and unacceptable, calling out Carmant. “These tragedies should have been prevented. They reveal the direct consequences of cuts and the glaring shortage of qualified staff within the youth protection system, in both the English-speaking and French-speaking communities,” the statement said. Carmant speaks out Carmant declined to speak to CTV News on July 23, when two of the deaths were reported, and again the morning of July 29. In both attempts, Carmant’s press secretary referred all questions to Lesley Hill, Quebec’s national director of youth protection. Carmant spoke with Montreal French-language radio station 98.5 FM and The Gazette. He told both outlets that he was aware of the situation for some time, and that the cases were being handled by Hill and Santé Québec. In his interview with 98.5 FM, he says Hill is responsible for service quality and has spoken out publicly. “I’m making sure that everything is put in place to ensure that things are done properly. Whilst awaiting the results of the coroner’s inquest, I preferred not to comment so as not to pre-empt what we’ll find when the coroner releases his findings,” Carmant told 98.5 FM. Carmant acknowledged that there have been long-standing issues within the province’s anglophone youth protection services, citing recruitment, retention, and wait lists. However, he states improvements have been made over the last few years to tackle long-standing issues, including increased education for incoming social workers. “Now, we carry on doing our work; we carry on improving working conditions and training. We want to retain staff in youth protection much more effectively. So there are challenges everywhere, but generally speaking, I think the human resources situation is improving, albeit gradually,” Carmant said. Late Wednesday night, Carmant’s office sent a written statement to CTV News, which said he is committing to strengthening the youth protection network in the West Island “so that the most vulnerable children and young people never fall through the cracks.” “I have said this time and again for a long time: we are bringing about a genuine cultural shift in youth protection. That is why concrete measures have been put in place, including the recruitment of staff, the reduction of waiting lists, and the creation of the post of National Director of Youth Protection to ensure compliance with standards of practice throughout Quebec,” he added. Measures to improve delivery of services Hill told CTV News on July 23 that she was also made aware of the deaths in the spring. She said the National Youth Protection Directorate (DNPJ) has implemented a series of measures following the incident to improve delivery of service, including youth monitoring. Meetings also occurred among several ministries in Quebec to discuss efforts to address required monitoring for youth. On Wednesday, Hill told CTV News that she supports the independent investigation. “This approach will provide an objective and impartial assessment, shed full light on the circumstances surrounding these situations and identify any improvements that may be required,” Hill wrote in a statement to CTV News. “Furthermore, it has been agreed to maintain regular communication with Santé Québec to ensure ongoing monitoring of developments in this matter and to keep me informed of any relevant updates.” Leith Hamilton, a former Batshaw employee, told CTV News there have been persistent systematic failures in Quebec’s youth protection system for decades. He is involved with the current class-action lawsuit that was filed on behalf of children who suffered abuse while under government care on or after Oct. 1, 1950, in a centre as per a youth protection law. “The original provincial inquiry into the youth protection system, known as the Batshaw report, prompted legislative changes and program changes into the system we have today,” Hamilton told CTV News. “We’ve been pressing the government to improve services for families in the 70s, and now it’s over 50 years later, and we’re doing the same thing. Is this a con game or is it a map for reform?” If you or someone you know is in crisis, here are some resources that are available. If you need immediate assistance, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.
