Alberta lifts publication ban on deaths of children in care
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The provincial government has officially lifted Alberta's publication ban on the deaths of children in provincial care.
The legislated change comes months after a Postmedia investigation confirmed that between 1999 and June 2013, a total of 145 children died while under the province’s care but only 56 of those were ever reported. The other 89 deaths went unreported.
Human Services Minister Manmeet Bhullar pledged to lift the publication ban and that happened Wednesday when Bill 11 was proclaimed into law.
“I believe it is a basic right of each and every one of us to express grief publicly. This decision is not one for the government to make; it is one for those closest to the child to make," said Bhullar in a statement.
“I believe the media will act in an ethical and thoughtful manner when reporting on this type of story. No doubt editors and reporters will exercise due diligence, check the facts and make the right decision when it comes to deciding if a story is in the public interest."
Bhullar said there is a legal process currently in place for any families with children in care to apply for a publication ban with the courts if they wish. A "quicker, simpler process" envisioned by the legislation will be refined through the work of the Standing Committee on Families and Communities.
The government held a two-day expert roundtable in January to determine how the system can be improved as the Postmedia investigation also found that over 250 recommendations following child deaths in care have been made, but the government had no system for tracking how recommendations are implemented.
matthew.dykstra@sunmedia.ca
@SunMattDykstra
