Chiefs back B.C. watchdog in dispute

Child abuse can be prevented and the lives of First Nations children improved, but those goals are at risk if the government continues to block access to the provincial children's watchdog, says the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs.

Expressing its "shock, outrage and complete opposition," the organization has demanded officials scrap legislation it says limits B.C.'s representative for children and youth,Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, from looking at cabinet documents.

It says the law will prevent her from doing her job.

"We call on you to place the interests of vulnerable children first," Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the UBCIC, said Tuesday in an open letter to the minister of children and family development.

"We urge you to work together with Turpel-Lafond in her position ... rather than against her, in order to carry out your overlapping goals of caring for and protecting vulnerable children and youth."

The letter is co-signed by vice-president Chief William Charlie and secretary-treasurer Chief Robert Chamberlin.

The union is reacting to demands by the government that Turpel-Lafond sign a protocol promising confidentiality in order to see the documents. She has refused.

Courttest Thursday

Instead, Turpel-Lafond is set to go to court Thursday to challenge the legislation. She's expected to argue she needs cabinet material to help complete an audit and review of a government program involving thousands of children and youth who live with relatives.

Children's Minister Mary Polak has said the lawsuit is a waste of time and money.

She's stated the children's representative must go through the same steps as other independent officers such as the auditor general in order to gain access to cabinet documents.

According to the union, aboriginal children represent more than half of the children in care, despite making up fewer than one in 10 people in the province. That's why it's critical the legislation is turfed, said the union.

"This type of protocol would prevent [Turpel-Lafond] from potentially releasing information that could literally save children's lives and prevent continuation of multiple cases of child abuse," Phillips said in the letter.

The independent watchdog position was created in 2006, following an internal government review, inquest and inquiry into a toddler death.