VICTORIA— B.C. New Democrat children and families spokesperson, Doug Donaldson, issued the following statement on revelations that a flawed hair test was used as evidence to apprehend children.

“It is unacceptable for the Ministry of Children and Family Development to refuse to follow the lead of Ontario’s child ministry in reviewing the cases of families whose children were taken away following a flawed ‘Motherisk’ test.

“To suggest that families whose children were wrongfully taken from them raise complaints with the very same ministry that victimized them is inadequate and disturbing.

“There needs to be an independent investigation, especially considering that the test is biased towards black hair. Aboriginal children are overrepresented in our child protection system, and this test could have contributed to that, but the Minister doesn’t appear to want to know that answer.”