The letter to the Society is posted first below, followed by the letter to Canada Newswire Group, which in turn is followed by the original press release.
France Clost,
Communications
Children's Aid Society of Ottawa
1602 Telesat Court
Ottawa, Ontario
K2E 6J2
I read the enclosed press release and wanted to congratulate the Society on creating such a room in connection with Bank of America.
However, I must also remind the Society that the image which accompanies the press release is in violation of section 45 (8) of the Child and Family Services Act, which is an Offence according to 85 (3) of the Act which reads as follows:
"A person who contravenes subsection 45 (8) or 76 (11) (publication of identifying information) or an order prohibiting publication made under clause 45 (7) (c) or subsection 45 (9), and a director, officer or employee of a corporation who authorizes, permits or concurs in such a contravention by the corporation, is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than three years, or to both"
The image clearly identifies a youth in care (name removed for publication) and can be found at the following link: [here] (if this link fails the photo has been removed in accordance with the law)
The edited photo above has had identifying information removed to protect the identity of the youth in care
The photo is accompanied by the following text which has the effect of identifying a youth in care. This image was distributed by the Society and should be removed immediately in order to comply with the law.
"The (name removed), Youth in Care takes CAS Ottawa Board member and Champions For Children board member on a tour of the new youth room. (CNW Group/Children's Aid Society of Ottawa)"
Sincerely
John Dunn
Executive Director
The Foster Care Council of Canada
http://www.afterfostercare.ca
Canada Newswire Group
Waterpark Place
20 Bay Street, Suite 1500
Toronto, Ontario
M5J 2N8
To whom it may concern,
The following letter which has been sent to the Children's Aid Society of Ottawa contains information that Canada Newswire Group should be aware of and respond immediately to, else face the possibility of legal action.
The relevant provisions of the Child and Family Services Act are section 45 (8) and 85 (3).
They read as follows:
45 (8)
No person shall publish or make public information that has the effect of identifying a child who is a witness at or a participant in a hearing or the subject of a proceeding, or the child’s parent or foster parent or a member of the child’s family.
85 (3)
A person who contravenes subsection 45 (8) or 76 (11) (publication of identifying information) or an order prohibiting publication made under clause 45 (7) (c) or subsection 45 (9), and a director, officer or employee of a corporation who authorizes, permits or concurs in such a contravention by the corporation, is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than three years, or to both
Sincerely
John Dunn
Executive Director
The Foster Care Council of Canada
http://www.afterfostercare.ca
ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE BELOW
Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 14:09:30 -0500
From: portfolio@newswire.ca
To: portfolio@newswire.ca
Subject: Ottawa youth in care get their space - and their voices heard
CNW Group Portfolio E-Mail
CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY OF OTTAWA
Transmitted by CNW Group on : December 5, 2008 14:09
Ottawa youth in care get their space - and their voices heard
OTTAWA, Dec. 5 /CNW Telbec/ - Today the Children's Aid Society of Ottawa
launched the opening of a new Youth Room for youth in care. What started out
as a small idea pitched by employees of Bank of America with large hearts, the
renovation project inspired the youth and everyone involved, and it quickly
became more than just a meeting room. It became the Youth Room called 'My
Place' and with clear direction provided by the youth, the room became the
venue for the following purposes:
<<
- A location where various professional development and life skills
seminars and courses will be offered for youth in care
- A gathering place to engage and empower youth in care, providing
workshops on employment, budgeting, and other important independence
supports.
- A gathering place for youth to learn from one another through
peer-support, and a place for youth in care to learn from helpful
adults such as community partners and organizations, volunteers, and
youth workers.
- A place for youth to receive & give support to each other.
- A place for the youth in care of the Society can call their own and
have a sense of belonging.
- A place where youth can share their in-care experiences and everyday
adolescent issues.
- A place to give youth a voice and encourage problem solving to effect
positive change for other children in care, youth and families not only
in our Society but possibly provincially, nationally and
internationally
- A place to socialize & have some fun
- A place to celebrate their individual & group accomplishments
- A location to complete their volunteer hours
>>
Of the 750 children currently in care, 492 are over the age of 13. The
'My Place' Youth Room is for them, but can also be accessed by alumni, or
those who have moved out of the system and onto their own. "I am so glad that
we are finally here today. It looks great, but what I'm really looking forward
to are the programs that will be offered. Usually, when people think of
helping kids in care they think of the younger kids. I feel really lucky that
the community thought about us today", says (name removed), an 18-year old youth in
care currently involved with the project.
The Children's Aid Society of Ottawa has been aggressively attending to
the youth agenda both locally and provincially, and this project is an example
of the Society's commitment to supporting youth engagement. "We are very
fortunate to have such a committed community organization in Bank of America
and generous support from the Champions For Children Foundation," says Barbara
MacKinnon, Executive Director of the Children's Aid Society. "It is everyone's
hope that the youth will feel supported through this initiative and will take
the opportunity to further participate in the youth agenda".
<<
/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on
the CNW Photo Network and archived at http://photos.newswire.ca.
Additional archived images are also available on the CNW Photo Archive
website at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited
members of the media/
>>
-30-
/For further information: France Clost, Communications, The Children's
Aid Society of Ottawa, (613) 747-7800 ext. 2033, (613) 851-1584 (cell),
fclost@casott.on.ca; www.casott.on.ca/
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