Photo by Whitehorse Star
Yukon Party MLA Brad Cathers
Petition demands more information
Yukon Party MLA Brad Cathers has tabled a petition with more than 300 names on it from people asking for more information on the Hidden Valley School sex abuse scandal.
Yukon Party MLA Brad Cathers has tabled a petition with more than 300 names on it from people asking for more information on the Hidden Valley School sex abuse scandal.
He presented it to the house Monday. It says:
“This petition of the undersigned shows:
“THAT it took the Government of Yukon 21 months to communicate to parents about a former teaching assistant charged and convicted of the 2019 sexual assault of a student at Hidden Valley Elementary School;
“THAT the Government of Yukon did not communicate to parents about the sexual assault until after the media reported on it in July 2021;
“THAT this failure to communicate meant that other alleged child victims of the sex offender who have since come forward, did not get the support they needed in a timely manner from their parents and health professionals;
“THAT the Minister of Education at the time, the Deputy Premier, and the Department of Education knew about the sexual assault and did not communicate it publicly, as demonstrated by documents acquired through the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act; and THAT anyone not taking a child-centred approach to delivering education in the territory should face real-world consequences for their actions or inaction;
“THEREFORE, the undersigned ask the Yukon Legislative Assembly to urge the Deputy Premier to clearly disclose to the public when she was made aware of the 2019 sexual assault at Hidden Valley Elementary School, and what direction she gave Department of Education officials — including any direction regarding communicating about this serious incident to parents.”
“I should note, Mr. Speaker, that the petition has somewhere between 300 and 350 names on it,” Cathers said.
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Comments (19)
Up 24 Down 9
Al on Oct 21, 2021 at 3:03 pm
@ Politico
Give your head a shake. Not everything is about a political party. Sometimes, and more often than not, it is as simple as people trying to get to the truth. I know that is hard for you to believe - so be it. I am directing my comments to the general reader and in support of those that signed to be heard. Will they get heard by the government? Likely not. Why? The group is too large. This government only listens to a very tiny minority of folks - usually under 10 people who have a grievance. Besides, I suspect their only wish is that the HVS issue simply goes away, I do not foresee that happening any time soon. It is too easy for McPhee to simply answer the question(s). Ask yourself why she isn't? Never mind casting dispersion on folks who are doing the asking.
Up 32 Down 8
Groucho d'North on Oct 21, 2021 at 12:09 pm
@Roy,
If as you suggest we let the investigation run its course what do you believe it will reveal? The terms of reference do not speak to the real issue the parents are concerned about- why was the public not informed in an appropriate time and method? That’s what the public wants to know.
Take this case to its conclusion and the buck still stops on the Premier’s desk. He is the one to determine the punishments for those who violated the public’s trust. As we have read in this forum, many believe the minister responsible should be terminated. That would leave the government with one less seat and would probably prompt an election, a by-election at a minimum. Many of the ridings were close and with the performance of this administration of late, I suspect the electorate has had enough of the tyrannical methods the Yukon Liberals have borrowed from their federal counterparts.
So Mr. Silver before you piss away more time and our money in this snipe hunt of an internal investigation to document what is already known but hidden away, You will ultimately have to do your job and dispense some punishment for those who violated the public’s trust. You know what the public expects with or without some trumped up investigation. Do your job sir, or perhaps it's your job that is on the line?
Up 8 Down 29
Totally real name on Oct 21, 2021 at 11:19 am
Out of line?
How are you extremist right wingers always the victim? Even this political dramedy reeks of "what about me? Why isn't this about me? More me!"
Can't wait for you dinosaurs to turn into oil.
Up 11 Down 24
Politico on Oct 21, 2021 at 10:38 am
@ Al The truth is never out of line. Be curious how many on that petition are on the YP rolls!
Up 15 Down 29
Roy on Oct 21, 2021 at 7:42 am
I get it your kid is in danger and you are now in fight or flight mode, which means you aren't thinking straight at all. Have you noticed that the Yukon Party is using your fear and anger to their political gain? That they are fanning your fears and using it to discredit their opponents? That's their goal. Getting real answers is at the lower end of their agenda, because, they, like you, don't really care about the investigation at all. They/You just want to see someone hang. Anyone.
So, even if the DP disclosed when she was made are about it, then what? Is that the "missing link" in your own private investigation that will allow you to sleep better at night? And let's say she does resign. What does that solve? Nothing. You'll still have no answers, still be angry at the government, and now a new person will have to answer all of your questions. And then when that person doesn't say the things you want to hear.... then what? They resign too? This is mob mentality 100% and solves nothing.
Why doesn't everyone take a step back and let the investigation run it's course? Isn't that the best way to get all the answers?
Up 13 Down 24
BnR on Oct 21, 2021 at 7:29 am
Y’know, the more this goes on, the more I suspect that Currie and his posse are more concerned with “owning the Libs” than ensuring a sex offender gets put behind bars.
Up 13 Down 4
Salt on Oct 20, 2021 at 11:06 pm
@Mick
You are probably, unintentionally, not far off the truth. People who value freedom and personal responsibility tend to hold a very dim view of government moral corruption and child molesters. Strange that somehow you thought that was insulting.
Up 27 Down 7
And what's happening about the beating of a 14 year old boy? on Oct 20, 2021 at 10:11 pm
A 14 year old boy was almost beaten to death on Sunday. 12 people jumped him and beat him for over 15 minutes while they filmed it, harassed him, and even messaged him about the beating after it happened. What will the liberal government do about that? The RCMP has done nothing and Minister McPhee is in charge of Justice or lack of justice, so this assault won't even be dealt with. Sweep it under the rug? Like you've swept a pedophile assaulting children at Hidden Valley and kept it a secret for years to save your own a#ses? Also putting Dendys in there is a pile of crap--McPhee should have had to stay in Education, although none of us liked her there, but at least she would have had to be more accountable instead of letting her colleauge have to deal with it all and be blamed for 'McPhees Mistakes'. Get rid of McPhee, Nicole Morgan and all others who spent this under....Liberal government, you will be pushed out of office before you get to have an election.
Up 23 Down 5
Chicadee on Oct 20, 2021 at 9:34 pm
Clearly and very clearly our children have been let down, as young and vulnerable as they are. However, this I hear is just the start of a can of worms that needs to be opened with YTG. Hearing much more with our senior care and what they experience, hell, they are old, who cares? Obviously not one of their loved ones! Pathetic govt we have here, it is all about their greed of a paycheque, - who will find out what goes on, sweep it all under the carpet! Absolutely no accountability.
Up 11 Down 23
Yukoner49 on Oct 20, 2021 at 9:31 pm
I'm still surprised by how much attention this issue is getting from the media and politicians. The fact is that the pedophile was removed from the school immediately upon his being charged/accused. So after that point, this whole thing became about when the police/government informed parents that something had happened (but was no longer a threat). Sure they should have let them know sooner I guess, but we aren't even talking endangerment here.
Now ask yourself why much worse situations that have happened and continue to happen in our smaller First Nations receive only a fraction of the same attention from politicians and media. Hmmm I wonder why that is? There have been legit horror stories in Ross River where there was an ongoing danger, but then again, not many white people live there so its not really worth the outrage and 24/7 coverage I guess. Better to focus on the upset people in the upper middle class area of Hidden Valley.
Up 14 Down 3
I wish I could know.... on Oct 20, 2021 at 8:31 pm
@ Mick What human stain would suggest the people who want ACCOUNTABILITY for covering up crimes against children are the offenders, rather than the ones who covered up the crimes? You’re guilty also.
Up 21 Down 5
Matthew on Oct 20, 2021 at 8:06 pm
I have zero involvement in this, but will gladly sign this no problem. We must protect the kids, this IS a serious matter.
Up 24 Down 6
Take a walk on the wild side on Oct 20, 2021 at 6:34 pm
The Liberals have failed our children… And the rest of society as well. What goes on in Yukon Justice is absolutely astounding.
The Deputy Minister who absolutely upended and gutted the DOJ turning community corrections into a farce is indirectly and directly responsible for the current shyt-show.
Where did the most recent Director go? What is the controversy about this time? Was somebody lying? Did someone make a colossal hiring error based on their absolute lack of understanding of Justice/ Community Corrections?
You really have to wonder about the perpetual comings and going’s within the ranks of DOJ management. Way too often to consider the possibility that we have a healthy Justice System - We do not!
Did you know that the DOJ keeps hiring external applicants from the Feds and they keep getting fired… Although they were the apparent handpicks of the ruling obsolete. Some really great judgment going on over there for sure… From the territorial court judges to the upper management of the DOJ to some members of the PPSC… They should get canned and their case files reviewed.
Up 30 Down 3
A lawyer, a minister and a paedophile walk into a bar… on Oct 20, 2021 at 6:29 pm
It takes a lawyer to really get down where some imagined government liability outweighs the safety of a disabled child and usurps his parents’ custody and authority. And Kate White? Stand up! If you can defend addicts, tenants and workplace sensitivity you can fight for a challenged child. Liz, Audrey and even Tony would have stood up by now. We don’t expect compassion from the liberals but isn’t that part about f the NDP mantra? Shame on you all.
Up 26 Down 1
Nathan Living on Oct 20, 2021 at 6:13 pm
There are issues then there are emotional issues.
Children deserve better. The legal adviser gave legal advice but the education officials should have advised all parents at that school in the early days of the allegation against the educational assistant.
Up 28 Down 2
I’ll decide what’s best for your child on Oct 20, 2021 at 6:06 pm
The additional information I would “request” from her maj is who the hell do you think you are deciding it’s none of the parents’ business that their own child’s EA was convicted of sexually abusing their child?
Up 58 Down 12
Al on Oct 20, 2021 at 3:59 pm
@Mick
Your comment is way out of line, and inappropriate.
Up 15 Down 74
Mick on Oct 20, 2021 at 3:50 pm
Let me guess. The same 300 names that are suing YG for ‘freedum’
Up 64 Down 13
JSM on Oct 20, 2021 at 3:06 pm
The liberals have clearly failed our children. This is unacceptable. I will repeat again, the liberals failed our children and are now trying to cover up their own conspiracy. It is happening in real time.