B.C. ends ‘birth alert’ practice used to separate newborns from moms in child welfare cases

The B.C. government is ending a controversial practice that social services contact health officials when there are potential safety risks to infants, without the parents’ consent.

The practice, known as “birth alerts,” has been long used in hospitals in a number of provinces, and was condemned by the country’s inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

The Ministry of Children and Family Development issued the alerts, which could result in the potential seizure of a child when social workers get a report about high-risk, expectant parents that could threaten the safety of the child at birth.

“We are changing the way we work with and support high-risk expectant parents to keep newborns safe and families together through a collaborative, rather than an involuntary, model,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of the MCFD.

Guest: Cheryl Casimer 

Political Executive, First Nations Summit

The B.C. government is ending a controversial practice that social services contact health officials when there are potential safety risks to infants, without the parents’ consent.

The practice, known as “birth alerts,” has been long used in hospitals in a number of provinces, and was condemned by the country’s inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

The Ministry of Children and Family Development issued the alerts, which could result in the potential seizure of a child when social workers get a report about high-risk, expectant parents that could threaten the safety of the child at birth.

“We are changing the way we work with and support high-risk expectant parents to keep newborns safe and families together through a collaborative, rather than an involuntary, model,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of the MCFD.

Guest: Cheryl Casimer 

Political Executive, First Nations Summit