The fact that Premier Paul Davis refused to give a simple answer to a simple question should send a chill up your spine.
MR. J. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, at least thirty-five children have died while receiving service from this Province since 2009.
I ask the Premier: Has he been briefed on these deaths? If so, will he provide a report to the House of Assembly?
PREMIER DAVIS: Mr. Speaker, any time a person loses a loved one, I cannot think of anything that would be more difficult, challenging, and have a greater impact on a family. If it be a family who has a child who has a relationship with a government department, is either under a program or receiving services – because many of those children that the member opposite is referring to were not in the care of the government, were not in the care of Child, Youth and Family Services, but may have been receiving some supportive services from government or have had other relationships with government.
Any time those types of incidents happen –
MR. J. BENNETT: Have you been briefed?
PREMIER DAVIS: I am sorry, I say to the member opposite; this is very important, so just please bear with me.
These are very, very important to us as a government. I know how important it is to the minister, I know how important it is to the staff, and we take every step possible to ensure the safety of all children in Newfoundland and Labrador.
[via Hansard]
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