Winnipeg police search Spirit Rising House homes after allegations workers gave cannabis to kids in care

Winnipeg police executed search warrants on several Spirit Rising House homes following allegations the foster home operator gave cannabis to kids in Child and Family Services care, CBC News has learned.

Police executed the warrants last Friday, removing computers and other files, according to former employees.

Winnipeg police confirmed to CBC News their child abuse unit is investigating the company, but declined to comment on Friday's search.

The Winnipeg-based for-profit company ran nine foster homes and two specialized group homes for 34 high-risk youth in Child and Family Services care before the government cut ties with it in February.

That followed an investigation that found workers were giving kids in care a daily dose of cannabis as a means of harm reduction, sometimes in lieu of a weekly cash allowance.

A former Spirit Rising House employee said a detective from the Winnipeg police child abuse unit recently interviewed her, as well as another former employee and a current employee. Several other employees told CBC News they were also questioned by police. 

"They asked me what my experience was with providing weed," the former worker said. "They asked me about what the girls were given in terms of grocery money, allowance, clothing money, rec money." 

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CBC News is not naming the employee as they fear speaking out will harm their future job prospects.

The police also asked her whether programming and therapeutic supports were being offered to kids in care, she said.

A spokesperson for Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine said the minister is aware of the ongoing police investigation, but questions about it should go to police.

There are still some youth still living in Spirit Rising House homes, but the majority have been moved out, said Ryan Stelter.

"Our number 1 priority continues to be ensuring the safety of children as they transition to appropriate placements out of [Spirit Rising House]," he wrote in a prepared statement.

At least $2.4 million was paid to the company through the Southern First Nations Network of Care from April 2022 to December 2023 for the care of 22 teens. 

WATCH | Winnipeg police have searched Spirit Rising House homes:

Winnipeg police seize computers from group homes

8 months ago

Duration 1:36

The Winnipeg police child abuse unit executed search warrants on Spirit Rising House foster homes and group homes as part of an ongoing investigation.

The province gave Spirit Rising House over $1 million from April 2021 until January of this year, according to figures provided by a department spokesperson.

The ownership group of Spirit Rising House declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.