4 ~ Wednesday, June 7, 1995 -- North Shore News Foster rovincial Negligence alleged in court suit A COURT battle being waged by a North Vancouver foster mother is sending tremors through the provincial ministry of social services. By Brent Mudry Contributing Writer The tension was underseared out- side a B.C. Supreme Court courtroom Friday when a senior government lawyer refused to identify a ministry employee testifying in the case. “Thave real concerns if you pub- lish the names of any social workers or other government witnesses,” Timothy Leadem told a surprised News reporter. “I ask that you pro- vide me the name of the lawyer advising you and your publication,” the lawyer for the attorney general demanded. Leadem admitted no pub- lication ban exists for ministry wit- nesses. The trial nuirks the climay of a six-year batde fought by Barbara Donaldson, She claims social workers refised to quickly remove from her foster care a 13-year-old girl she alleges sexually abused her three-year-old daughter, Donaldson’s lawyer, ‘Tom Cochran, claims the ministry hid the foster daughter's awn history as a vic tim Or sexual abuse. Donaldson pleaded for four months before the ministry finally moved the teenager in September 1989, Cochran. claims the ministry retaliated by removing other foster children from her home, blackballing her and warning away other prospec- tive employers. “It's been a night- mare ... and it hurts my ability to eam a living,” Donaldson told the News. Donaldson claims the wauma of the original incidents has affected her daughter ever since. “I only kept up the fight because I kept hearing about THE VARCOUYER FRIENDS FOR LIFE socirit Presents a free lecture series. Everyone welcome - to all, or just one presentation. ~u ELL WITH CANCER Presentations from health care professionals, social service workers and family care givers. June 1 June 8 June 15 June 22 June 29 Liz Smith ‘Holistic Lifestyle Changes-Gilly Heaps Nutrition as Prevention and Wellness-Linda Ward The Sounds of Music as Therapy-Kathryn Nicholson Cancer as Spiritual Experience-Sally Eaton Relaxation and Stress Reduction-Janic Brown and EVERY THURSDAY IN JUNE 7:00 - 9:00PM Held at the Buschlen-Mowatt Gallery 1445 West Georgia Street, Vancouver Call 682-5992 for more information the iroubles other Joster parents hives” she said, Under cross-examination. min- istry employee Sandi Carmel testified she had contact with Donaldson “vir- tually every working day” until the lvenage virl was moved. Carmel was @ resources Worker at the time, “She can barely survive the weekend,” Carmel read from ber notes of a June 1989 call trom Donaldson. “The safely of her daughter is Donaldson's pacumount concern,” Carmel wrote to a psychologist. Despite the urgency, it would be ever two more months before the girl was removed, The worker admitted in another instance, the ministry took fess than a day to move two foster children. The closely watched trial is the first case of a B.C. foster parent suing the ministry for both breach of con- tract and negligence. Lawyers will make final written submissions to Justice Thomas Melnick next month. A decision is not expected until the fall. at Syivan | Excel next fall with s 7 y enrichment this summer ‘Koes Wirth Sylvin’s positive, caring individualized instruction, students find their grades soaring — along with their self- confidence. Instead of dreading school, students actually look forward to it. We've already helped more than a million children turn their grades around. Let’s talk abour how we can help your child. Flexible schedules, morning | or afternoon classes. sylvan earning (/, Centre® “Helping kids be their best” a North Vancouver — West Vancouver 985-6811 926-3365 Voilence comes in many forms “Mercy” Killing is one of them issues like abortion and euthanasia, call the | Resource Centre at 984.9094 Mind the Mess Enjoy the Savings only 7 DP sion fee a” $4 As from Full Service Fitness Facility Professional Instruction Switch to our club and receive 6 mos. Free plus sign up before June 15, ‘95 and we'll pay the GST. Hurry, limited time offer!