SaskParty Renews Call For Belanger’s Dismissal
Friday, September 15, 2006 at 15:04
An Opposition critic says he wants Buckley Belanger to resign, or be stripped of his Community Resources portfolio by Premier Lorne Calvert.
Ted Merriman says yesterday’s report by the Children’s Advocate clearly shows Belanger’s department knew serious problems were going on at the Oyate Safe House, yet continued to place children in its care.
Among other things, the report said Belanger’s department did not investigate concerns of children who were alleged to be victims of sexual exploitation.
Belanger says he didn’t know about the problems initially, but acted when he became aware of them.
However, Merriman doesn’t buy that.
Belanger released a statement yesterday saying his department is moving ahead with a First Nations partnership.
He also says the safe house hasn’t received children since April, and only plans to re-open when it has addressed all of the Marvin Bernstein’s recommendations.
As for the Saskatchewan Party’s wish to see him step down, Belanger says it’s nothing more than a game of politics.
He says the safety of the youth is his department’s top priority, and they are moving forward with all parties to fix the problem.