Bankrupt adoption agency could start again

Hundreds of adoptive families hope an Ontario adoption agency that recently declared bankruptcy will restructure so it can complete the adoptions it started for them, but that will require more money.

About 350 adoptive parents were left in limbo when Imagine Adoption of Cambridge, Ont., went bankrupt July 13.

Under a plan proposed by Kids Link International Adoption Agency, which operated Imagine Adoption, families are being asked to provide $4,000 each to restart operations under new management, bankruptcy trust BDO Dunwoody Ltd. said.

Many have already paid between $10,000 and $15,000 in adoption fees to the agency, which helped Canadians adopt children from Ethiopia, Ghana and Ecuador in the past two years.

"People's trust has been tested and part of the proposal is asking people to trust again," said Christine Starr, chair of Families of Imagine Adoption.

Under the proposal to creditors, the agency would get a new board of directors and be closely monitored by the bankruptcy trustee.

At least half of the adoptive parents and a good portion of the agency's other creditors would have to vote yes over the next two weeks for the plan to fly. A general meeting of the creditors will be held on Sept. 21 in Kitchener-Waterloo, BDO Dunwoody said.

In July, the fraud division of the Waterloo Regional Police opened an investigation into the adoption agency and began looking at questionable expenses, such as home renovations, spa trips and the purchase of a horse and saddle.

The investigation began after two members of the three-member board of directors of Kids Link expressed concerns to police about the agency.