The Exercise of Responsibilities Towards Children by Parents and the State.

This talk which describes the child welfare situation in Canada in terms of children, parental and state responsibilities focuses on state responsibilities. Basic policy issues of child welfare are discussed, particularly the current state of federal-provincial cooperation in the national health insurance program, and recent changes in the system of federal contributions. The overall picture, statistically illustrated, is seen as a negative one, with large numbers of Canadian children currently "in care," i.e. living away from their natural families, in institutions or in foster or adoptive homes. A significant percentage of these are American Indian children. Shortcomings in the educational system and, more particularly, in the system of national health care reflect a failure of federal and provincial governments to take adequate responsibility for child welfare. Medical fee extra-billing practices are illustrated by a table on abortion fees. Tables include statistics on numbers of children "in care" over the past several years, as well as birth and adoption figures for the Indian population. (BF)