Parents of dead teen Nick Lang decry potential downgrading of B.C.'s child advocate

The parents of a teenager who died while in provincialcare are speaking out in support of B.C.'s representative of children and youth, whose position was recently criticised ina report into the current state of child protection in the province.

The report issued by former deputy minister Bob Plecas in mid-December calls foran immediate overhaul of a system that "lacks leadership, accountability and funding,"

Plecascalled foroversight to be handled by the ministry itself, rather thanby B.C. Representative for Children and Youth, Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond.

• B.C. child protection system slammed for lack of accountability, leadership, funding
• Child protection report on 'culture of blame' leads to accusations
• Nick Lang's grieving parents say B.C. ministry worker 'didn't care' about meth-addicted teenager

But the parents of Nick Lang,who diedjust six days after he entered government-funded drug rehabin June, have sent a letter asking the select standing committees on finance and children and youth to reconsider Plecas's recommendation.

"[Turpel-Lafond's] current powers allow her the freedom to speak the truth without fear of discipline or penalty," wrote Peter Lang.

"This is crucial if B.C. taxpayers are going to be able to make informed decisions about the current state of this Ministry."

Tragic death

Peter LangandLinda Tenpashad put their son in the ministry's care for drug addiction when theynoticed the15-year-old'sbehaviour and appearance were changing. Tenpas told CBCthey thought they discovered his addiction quickly enough to intervene.

While he was in care, the host family found the teenager's body in a closet, in a room where he'd been left unattended for 40 minutes despite the parents' instructionsthat herequired constantsupervisionto keep him safe from self-harm.

In the letter to the standing committees,Lang lambastes the Ministry of Children and Family Development for what he calls a lack of cultural sensitivity and understanding regarding the review of their Mtis son's case.

"When nearly 60 per cent of your clients are indigenous, one should expect some level of cultural competence by those working for the ministry, particularly those conducting 'reviews,'" he wrote.

Langdescribesa foster child he and Tenpas raised in the past who is now in school and gainfully employed as an example of what can happenwhen the system works as it should.

He said cutting Turpel-Lafond'sauthority or her funding for investigations "will only serve to undermine the rehabilitation of the MCFD."

"I know it is often painful to hear the criticisms of the RCY but taxpayers, including indigenous taxpayers, respect the independent, objective and culturally competent advice from the RCY."