What's new in November 2008

NOTHING.  

From what I can gather our government is still 'studying' the issue.  If you study something long enough, maybe it will just go away.  The present government has been studying the concept of open adoption records for 9 years, and nothing has happened.  How long does this subject have to be studied?  Many of the members of the present government were in opposition when the previous government studied the issue, and finally opened up adoption records, but only for future adoptions.  What has changed?  The results of the study done in 1997 is still applicable today.  What more do they have to study?  

If this issue can be delayed until the next election, then the present government may not have to deal with it.  Maybe I am cynical but after 15 years of lobbying, hearing the voices of the adoption community of Manitoba wanting open records, and nothing has yet happened, who would not be cynical.

We have been told that the question of open adoption records has to be 'studied' to make sure that it is appropriate for the citizens of Manitoba.  Why?  Are we so different from the citizens of Newfoundland/Labrador, British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario who have opened their records.  I was always led to believe that all citizens of Canada are equal.  What has happened?

I do not blame the Minister, who could exert his power if he truly understood the issue, but I do blame the unelected bureaucrats  who advise the Minister, and who are responsible to do the studies and to make recommendations to the Minister.  They are the ones who wield the power in the legislature and are the people who can influence the decisions of the Minister.  A Minister is only appointed to a department for a short time.  They are new to the job, have a lot to learn about the department, and rely heavily on the unelected staff to advise them.  Often the staff they rely on transmit their own biases.  If they are opposed to open adoption records then they will do everything in their power to derail any attempt to open them.  Hopefully a Minister can see through this veil of deceit and do what is right by the adoption community of Manitoba.

The legislature will sit later in November for approximately one month.  Maybe, just maybe, something will be forthcoming.

Roy Kading

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