Child protection law pushes ahead in Nova Scotia, despite concerns

Controversial changes to the province's child protection law are moving back to the floor of the Nova Scotia legislature for further debate, despite lingering questions about whether Bill 112 will make things better or worse for children removed from their parents.

New Democrat MLA Marian Mancini pleaded with the government to temporarily shelve the bill so that the Department of Community Services could further consult those most affected by the changes, parents.

"I believe that if people were reaching out to the parents and providing a safe forum for them to speak, we would get invaluable information," said the former legal aid lawyer.

A tale of 2 Tories

PC MLA John Lohr also felt the bill needed more work, especially in better defining terms such as the definition of "emotional abuse." Emotional abuse replaces the term emotional harm.

In the bill, emotional abuse is defined as "acts that seriously interfere with a child's healthy development, emotional functioning and attachment to others."

Lohr worries the definition is subjective and open to interpretation.

"I think the minister's intention is to minimize court time and I think that these vaguer definitions will result in possibly having more court time," he said.

Tory MLA Alfie MacLeod disagreed with his caucus colleague's view and sided with the Liberals in sending the bill back to the house, so it can proceed toward becoming law.

MacLeod said although the proposed law was imperfect, change needed to be made to a law that hasn't been overhauled in 25 years.

"I would sooner be criticized for trying to move forward in some fashion than not moving forward at all," he told the law amendments committee.

Early intervention

Longtime foster parent Delores Feltmate traveled to Halifax from her home in Sydney to see the bill move along in person. She gave politicians who voted for the bill hugs after the meeting wrapped up.

Although she agreed that more services are needed for struggling parents, especially those dealing with alcohol or drug addictions, she felt the legal changes were needed.

"What we need are amendments that allow us to act decisively. To intervene early and to serve generously," she said.

Feltmate was convinced that would happen under the new law.

She would like to see the community be more vocal about their support for the changes.

"That's where we as the community have to step up and make sure that we tell the government that this is important to us," said Feltmate.

Feltmate recently adopted a five-year-old foster child that was in her care. All told, she and her husband have fostered 12 children.