Tories say N.L. government failing vulnerable children under current care system
Opposition Leader Tony Wakeham describes increased costs as ‘disturbing’
The Progressive Conservatives say the Liberal government has failed Newfoundland and Labrador's most vulnerable children through its handling of the system to house and care for young people with complex needs.
"It was disturbing to see those increasing costs at a time when we ought to be focused on, how do we reduce those costs," Opposition Leader Tony Wakeham said in an interview with CBC News.
"We're trending in the wrong direction."
The Tories were reacting to a series of CBC Investigates stories published this week, highlighting the cost of services provided by private companies and organizations — and questions about how the government gauges the success of the current system.
According to data released through access to information, the province spent nearly $420 million on services provided by fewer than a dozen companies over the past six years.
And the cost is rapidly increasing.
Billings approached $90 million in the last fiscal year — a jump of more than $30 million compared to 2018-19.
Children, Seniors and Development Minister Paul Pike told CBC News this week that "this is the best model for us at this point in time."
Wakeham said Pike has basically given up, and the status quo is not good enough.
"The minister concludes his comments by saying we have the best model available," he said.
"I don't agree with that, and neither do the experts and the advocates in the field."
Wakeham said he would lean on those experts and advocates, to focus on things like early intervention, additional training and a review of foster care. He also noted an ongoing shortage of social workers in the province.
- CBC INVESTIGATES | Kids in group homes and private placements cost N.L. tens of millions. But are they any better off?
- Social work vacancies 'still a crisis situation,' as shortages worsen since last year
The PC leader said he wants more of a focus on trying to understand why Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest rate of children and youth with complex needs in the country, and he believes there should be better tracking of outcomes.
"Every single child that's in that system is depending upon their government to help them, and they can't help themselves necessarily," Wakeham said.
"So it's important for government to take that responsibility very seriously. And that means you have to make sure that you're providing the best possible care for every one of those children."
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