Irfan Sabir won't resign over delays in giving police report on child who died in care

Alberta Human Services Minister Irfan Sabirsays he will "absolutely not"resign despite demandsfrom the oppositionto step down after documents inthe death of a four-year-old girl in provincial care failed to be turned overto the RCMP in a timely manner.

"We have work to do and I'm not here to assign blame anywhere," Sabirtold a news conference at the legislature Thursday.

Sabiradmittedthat it took too long for the documents, in relation to Serenity's death in Sept. 2014, to be handed over to theRCMP.

"It is clear to me that we have not done enough and we have not acted fast enough," Sabirsaid, addinghe takes full responsibilityfor the delay.

• Girl's death in kinship care prompts emergency debate in Alberta legislature

• Serenity's death prompts government to set up all-party task force

Instead of resigning, he announced the terms of reference for an all-partyministerial panel to review the current child intervention system.

The panel has short term and longer term deadlines to report back with recommendations on how to improve the system, culminating in a reporttobe tabled in the legislature by the ministerin the spring.

"I'm here to talk about solutions," Sabirdeclaredin responseto a peppering of questions from reporters on why he wouldn't step down."Serenity's family deserves answers and deserves justice."

Serenity'sstory

Serenity died of a traumatic head injury in September2014 while in kinship care with relatives on a central Alberta reserve. She was emaciated, weighed 18 pounds, and was covered in bruises with signs of trauma on her genitals.

It took two years to complete her autopsy report. Alberta's medical examiner has determined the cause of death but has not released that information to the public.

Both theWildrose and Progressive Conservativepartiescalled onSabirto resign after learning the government waited untilthisweek to give theRCMPaninternal report on the death.

The government has been under fire repeatedly over the past few weeks over the child welfare system, including criticism that charges have not been laid in Serenity's death. The issue prompted an emergency debate in the legislature.

That criticism consumed question period Thursdaywherecalls for Sabir's resignation continued.

"The level of incompetence is breathtaking," yelled Wildroseleader Brian Jean. "The best action the minister could do right now is resign."

Standing in for Premier Rachel Notley, who was absent from the legislature, Deputy Premier Sarah Hoffman defended the embattled minister.

"We have full confidence in him and his abilities," Hoffman told CBC. "And what kids need right now is somebody, actually a lot of people, and a minister who has got their back, and we've got that."

RCMP investigating

While the RCMP received the casefile from the chief medical examiner on Sept. 15,Sabir acknowledged the "RCMPdidn't at this point have the full child intervention file related to Serenity'sdeath."

On Oct. 24,RCMPasked for further documents from thedelegated authority representingHuman Services in the central Alberta community where Serenity was living.

Insp. GibsonGlavintold CBC NewsthattheRCMPhad been waiting for thedocumentation, and on Dec. 6, received thousands of documents.

"We have now to go through them all to see what relevance they have to the investigation," said Glavin, who described the investigation as "very much alive."

No charges have been laid in Serenity's death.

Panel to delve into child intervention system

Sabirmade public the terms of reference for a ministerial panel that will study children's services, including current practices and policies.

Sabir said he wants "recommendations [so] that this kind of delay is never repeated."

The NDP will have fiveMLAs on the panel of a dozen members, which will also include four opposition MLAs, two outside experts and the minister.

Wildroseleader Brian Jean took issue with the makeup of the panel.

"The minister himself who's responsible for this fiasco is involved," Jean noted."How likely is it that this panel will come up with clear recommendations?"

Conservative leader Ric McIveralso questioned the makeup of the panel while blasting the government for the delay in giving the RCMPall the informatiionrequired for an investigation.

"The RCMP got the information two nights ago, when this is being asked about in the House... for two and three weeks now," McIversaid. "Absolutely ridiculous."