Bylaws Secret

November 24, 2006 permalink

In the past, opponents of Children's Aid expressed their opinions through membership, in efforts to reform the process from within. Foot-dragging by Children's Aid now makes this kind of opposition impossible. The letter below from John Dunn shows his frustration at his inability to get a copy of the bylaws of Ottawa Children's Aid. This is not the only case of this kind of foot-dragging, it seems to be policy throughout Ontario.

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Bob Morrow,

Through a letter dated May 19, 2006 (attached) I asked Barbara MacKinnon, Executive Director of the Children's Aid Society of Ottawa if I could have access to the Society's by-laws and was ignored on this request.

I have left voice messages with the Society's executive office asking the same and have been ignored on this request as well.

I then proceeded to make a Freedom of Information Inquiry from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and was told by Enza Ragona (FIPPA) that they do not have copies of the Society's by-laws and that I would have to contact the Ottawa CAS in order to obtain access to them.

According to section 13(1) of the Child and Family Services Act, the Children's Aid Society shall file a copy of it's by-laws and of any amendments to them with the Minister of Children and Youth Services forthwith after they are made.

Could you please confirm with me before or on the day of our meeting Tuesday December 05, 2006 at 10:00am if the Society has in fact submitted a copy of it's by-laws and of any amendments to them with the Ministry at any time since the Society's creation?

Alternately, if you could provide me with access to the Society's by-laws as amended before or on the day or our meeting Tuesday December 05, 2006 at 10:00am so that I may review them on or after our meeting.

The relevant provision of the CFSA is pasted below:

"13. (1) An approved agency shall file a certified copy of its by-laws and of any amendment to them with the Minister forthwith after they are made."

Sincerely

John Dunn

Source: email from John Dunn November 23, 2006

Addendum: Another letter on the same topic:

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Dear Hon. Mary Anne Chambers,
Minister of Children and Youth Services

Section 13 of the Child and Family Services Act, R.S.O. 1990 Chap. C.11 reads as follows.

"13.(1) An approved agency shall file a certified copy of its by-laws and of any amendment to them with the Minister forthwith after they are made."

I am writing to enquire as to whether the Children's Aid Society of Ottawa has complied with this section of the Act and filed a certified copy of its by-laws and of any amendment to them with the Minister forthwith after they were made or at any time since such time.

To clarify, this is NOT a Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act request.

This is a letter clearly and simply asking the Minister to confirm or deny whether the Children's Aid Society of Ottawa has complied with ss. 13 (1) of the Child and Family Services Act.

Again, this is NOT a FIPPA request, it is simply a request for confirmation of compliance.

Thank-you

John Dunn

Source: email from John Dunn November 27, 2006