CAS changes

April 9, 2002 permalink

We recently examined the minutes of board of director's meetings.

We have so far not reported the scuttlebutt that Orangeville is the human rights abuse capital of Canada. Here is numerical support from January 15, 2002:

Greg Maslen, who works in Peel CAS said they have 545 kids in care; if they were measured proportionally with Dufferin, they would have 2500 kids in care.

Ever wonder why your kids are being stolen? Here is a quote from March 19, 2002:

Mr Putman advised the board that we received a hand-delivered cheque from the ministry for the amount of $331,000 that brings us to the 5 million dollar mark. To maximize this money we must spend about $150,000 in child protection before year-end -- approximately one week.

The dues will be raised. On October 16, 2001, the board passed the following motion:

That upon approval of the new by-laws and in accordance bylaw 5.03 that the society membership fee be set at $5.00 and to be effective in the membership year following the approval of the new by-laws.

As for the bylaws, the following report appears on December 16, 2001:

Mr Putman distributed a copy of a letter sent to Anna Raimondo of the Legal Services Branch regarding our by-laws. Mr Putman consulted with our corporate lawyer, Terry Carter, before responding to the areas of concern raised by Ms Raimondo. These concerns have been addressed and minor corrections have been made with the hope we may have the by-laws approved in a short period of time. This will allow us to have a quorum of 7 rather than 9 as set out in the old by-laws. Prior to 100% funding by the province, we had five county representatives appointed to the board making a total of 17 board members, therefore a quorum of 9. Once the county was no longer involved our board decreased by 5 members, therefore giving us a board of 12 members and a required quorum of 7. However, as the ministry has not yet approved the changes to the by-laws, we must abide by the quorum of 9.

Dufferin CAS has been plagued with resignations of directors, and has had to search for replacements. The current board is: John Christie president, Marianne Breadner vice president, Erika Lyn Skala Black, Greg Maslen, Mary Lynne Richardson, Mark Van Horne, Laura Wilson, Bruce McGillivray, Lea McGillivray and Sandra Card. There are two vacancies. Notwithstanding the desperate search for directors, no directors have been appointed representing clients purportedly served by Children's Aid.

Sometime during the last few months, Dufferin CAS removed a contentious sign from its door that formerly read:

Lesbian and Gay Positive Space. This is a place where human rights are respected, and where gays, lesbians, bisexuals, their friends and allies are welcomed and supported.

Addendum. On April 29, 2002, a new sign with the same wording was back on the door.