Birth alerts are issued by hospitals when children's aid societies believe the child of an expectant parent may be in need of protection after delivery
Ontario's Children Minister Jill Dunlop, seen here at legislature on June 25, 2020, told The Globe that the government is issuing the directive as part of efforts to address systemic racism in the province’s child-welfare system.The Ontario government has issued a policy directive that orders children’s aid societies in the province to cease the controversial practice of issuing birth alerts.
Child protection services in the province are delivered by children’s aid societies, Ms. Dunlop said, adding that birth alerts are not required under any provincial legislation or policy. “We know it is unacceptable,” Ms. Dunlop said. “This is why we are ending the practice across the province.” In January, Manitoba announced the end of birth alerts, and B.C. said in September, 2019, that it would end the practice immediately, citing the call from the inquiry.
Among the new requirements, societies must halt the practice by Oct. 15 and prepare to do so in the interim. Societies also must confirm in writing to the ministry that it has implemented requirements by that month.
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