The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Debralee Francoeur believes that the very system meant to protect families is destroying hers. Which is why the Flin Flon mother of seven found herself protesting outside the Barrow Provincial Building, where Child and Family Services is based. 'I really just want my story to be heard,' said Francoeur, wearing a homemade placard that read 'I should have a right to be heard,' last week. Francoeur, along Bryan Quaal, who is the father of her children, and supporters, began marching in protest outside the government building last Wednesday morning, August 28. Francoeur has a long list of accusations against Child and Family Services, or CFS. Four and a half years ago, when she had six children (she now has seven), Francoeur said all of them were taken away by CFS under false pretenses. During the few months that they were away, Francoeur said some of her children were placed in a foster home that sold marijuana and mistreated the kids. She said CFS has falsely accused her of abusing and neglecting her children and of having bipolar disorder. See 'Worries' on pg. Continued from pg. Francoeur said CFS has further told two of her kids that she no longer wants them _ a lie, she says _ and will no longer let a niece in foster care see her. Now she said she has reason to believe CFS is preparing to apprehend her children once more, again under what she called false pretenses. What particularly upsets Francoeur and Quaal is that they feel they have no recourse to repudiate CFS findings. 'They're above the law,' said Quaal. 'We have to answer to Child and Family Services and that is it. Whatever they say goes. That's bull.' A provincial spokesperson for CFS said all child apprehensions are subject to court review 'through formal court proceedings.' 'The grounds for apprehension are typically reviewed with parents on multiple occasions,' said the spokesperson. 'Every family and every child is unique, thus every risk assessment is individualized. The return of children should be based upon a risk assessment. 'Contact with the family does not end with apprehension. Social workers are in contact with the family and as long as there is no further risk to the child, reunification is always the goal. 'Workers discuss what options might be available, or what changes might be needed to allow reunification, like parenting classes or other support.' But Francoeur said her story is not unique in Flin Flon. 'I've heard from many, many families of how their kids have been taken for no reason,' she said. 'I'm just lucky that I do have resources in Flin Flon here to help me and that's why I am standing up today for other people that do not have the information and resources as I do.' Francoeur said the protest, which she promised would be ongoing, had allowed her to share her story with passersby. She also heard honks and shouts of support from some of the passing motorists.
