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Fitzpatrick included on panel to look into government’s child welfare

Jan 19, 2017 | 4:52 AM

EDMONTON – The Alberta government has finalized who will sit on a panel that is to study how to better keep children in government care safe.

The 13-member panel includes representatives from all parties in the legislature and experts on child intervention and indigenous issues. Among the members is Lethbridge East MLA Maria Fitzpatrick. 

It is to recommend ways to improve reviews into child-welfare deaths, to strengthen child intervention and to address issues that lead to children becoming wards of the province.

Debbie Jabbour, the NDP MLA for Peace River, will chair the panel. Human Services Minister Irfan Sabir will sit as an ex-officio member.

Premier Rachel Notley announced the panel in December after it was revealed that there had been little action for two years on the case of a four-year-old girl named Serenity, who died while in the care of extended family members.

(The Canadian Press)