PLAN TO IMPROVE CHILD CARE SERVICES OUTLINED

The two-week inquest into the death of Lee Bonneau, 6, has resulted in 19 recommendations to the Ministry of Social Services, the Yorkton Tribal Council Child and Family Services, and the RCMP. The Saskatchewan government has released a plan designed to improve the child welfare system and supports for vulnerable families and children. The new plan follows not only the inquest, but also a 2014 report on the same case by the Advocate for Children and Youth. That report contained 23 findings and 18 recommendations. Among the recommendations is a stronger focus on foster parents, including recruitment, retention incentives, follow-up and communication. Two weeks of testimony took place to examine the circumstances around the 2013 murder of Lee at the hands of another boy, aged 10. Lee died on the Kahkewistahaw First Nation.