Spotlight: Child Welfare

Inside the fight for Indigenous jurisdiction over child services in Canada. First in an occasional series.

The Inquiry Regarding the Treatment, Experiences, and Outcomes of Innu in the Child Protection System will wrap in 2025 amid efforts by Innu in Labrador to reclaim jurisdiction from province over child ‘welfare’.

After her $150,000 discrimination award was overturned, ‘Justine’ spent three days in the B.C. Court of Appeal. The outcome could have far-reaching impacts for Indigenous families.

It may be the toughest file in BC’s government. The new minister says she’s ready to meet the challenge.

Journalists can spur needed change but must take care not to add to trauma, say experts.

Tuition waivers are playing a pivotal role helping youth age out of care, but what about those from decades past?

Province could look to Florida or Connecticut for ideas on how to help former kids in care.

Inadequate support, limited awareness and eligibility restrictions have meant most youth from care aren’t benefiting from expanded initiatives.

NOTE: This story uses data obtained by the Spotlight: Child Welfare team, but it was not produced as part of this project.

An illustrated look at a day in the life of a child-protection worker.

‘We’re willing to give strangers just about anything to look after kids, but we have this blockage when it comes to supporting families,’ says professor.

Journalism collaboration Spotlight: Child Welfare aims to deepen and improve reporting on B.C.’s child-welfare system.

Black Press Media is part of a collaboration diving into Ministry of Children and Family Development.

Investigation reveals ministry isn’t meeting critical standards. ‘This should be a four-alarm fire,’ social work professor says.