Yukon gov't under fire amid allegations of violence, mistreatment at youth group homes

The Yukon government was pummeled in the Legislature on Thursday, in the wake of a CBCNews report detailing allegations of violenceand mistreatment in some government-run youth group homes.

Opposition politicians repeatedly called on the government to explain what it was doing to protect children in care, and why it didn't act sooner.

Two teens who have been in government group homes spoke to CBC, describing violent fights with group home staff, and incidents where they were forcibly locked out at night. One worker within the system, speaking as an anonymous whistleblower, said they have also witnessed "discrimination, abuse and corruption involving Indigenous children and youth," at the government-run facilities.

• Young people speak out about violence, mistreatment at Yukon group homes

Yukon Party MLA Patti McLeodlaid into the government on Thursday, accusing it of ignoring the problem for too long.

"On Monday evening, the minister [of health and social services] found out that the CBCwas going to publish a story detailing these allegations, so she rushed out a press release to try to protect the governmentpolitically," McLeodsaid, referring to the government's announcement earlier this week that it would undertake a review of group homes.

McLeodasked whether anything was done before that, or if the government was merely trying "to protect their political hides."

One teen, who alleged toCBCthat he wasassaulted by a group home worker, had also told CBCthat he took his concerns toHealth Minister Pauline Frost last month.

McLeodaskedwhat's happened since then.

"Why did the minister not notify RCMPwhen she became aware of [the allegations], sixweeks ago?" McLeod asked.

"Instead of taking immediate action to protect the youth who came forward, the minister appears to have done nothing."

NDPMLA Kate White echoed McLeod's questions, saying the government did not seem to take the issue seriously until this week, when it ordered the review of group homes.

"The timing of the announcement is troubling," White said. "The abuse and mistreatment that has been reported needs to stop today. It can't wait for a report a year from now."

Allegations taken 'very, very seriously,' minister says

Frost responded to the firestorm of criticism by saying the government takes the allegations against group home staff "very, very seriously, and we will take immediate action."

"The concerns that we've heard are seriousand they are troubling and we have triggered a process," Frost said.

I know that youth perhaps have not been heard in the past.I want them to know, and I want Yukoners to know,that we're listening."- Health Minister Pauline Frost

The Yukon government operates six child and youth group homes.The"independent and impartial" review announced this week will date back three years, looking at the period between April 1, 2015 and April 1, 2018, and will be conducted by the territory's Child and Youth Advocate.

Frost says the government will look into "every serious allegation that comes to our attention."

"It takes a lot of bravery for folks to come forward. I know that youth perhaps have not been heard in the past.I want them to know, and I want Yukoners to know, that we're listening."

Public Works Minister Richard Mostynalso spoke in defence of his government, accusing opposition politicians of shedding "crocodile tears" over the issue. He also defended the beleaguered health minister.

"It is an issue I know she is personally passionate about. She talks about it all the time," Mostyn said.

Premier Sandy Silver also weighed in, saying his government is being responsible in ordering a review to determine "the pathway forward."

"This type of work cannot happen overnight," Silversaid. "Knee-jerking because of a media story is one thing we're going to make sure that we do this right."

Justice minister 'not criticizing the media'

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Tracey-AnnMcPhee was also taken to task on Thursday by MLA Brad Cathers, for a comment McPheehad made earlier, about the story.

"Allegations in the media, reports in the media are important. They inform our community. But they are not necessarily the truth," McPheesaid in the Legislature on Wednesday.

Cathers demanded an explanation

"Can the minister of justice tell us which elements of the CBCstory are untrue?" he asked.

McPheereplied, saying she was not criticizing the media, but arguingthat "there are backgrounds to these stories."

"I have always taken a cautious view of the fact that all the facts in a particular story need time to come to the surface, and must be properly investigated or reviewed in order for the full story to be known," she said.

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