Letters from Prison - Carline Vandenelsen, Another Mother Behind Bars in Canada

WHAT SHE WROTE IN HER LETTER
Excerpts of a five-page letter written by Carline Vanden-
Elsen from the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Dartmouth:

"If only 30 cases involve children being taken into protective custody . . . how is it then that foster care continues in crisis, that the Department of Community Services and the Foster Care Agency for Canada advertises regularly, looking for anyone to warehouse children seized by the authorities?"

"The activity by the police and child-welfare workers, breaking into homes like sneaking thieves in the night, is not unusual. It is increasingly occurring throughout Canada and more particularly in the Atlantic provinces."

"I would suggest closeted fascism from 50 years ago, private ownership overtaken by the state forging ahead with its rendered version of child welfare, is the underlying reason why today Canada's most precious resource - the child - is endangered."

"Other implications are equally disturbing. Take Canada's law on same-sex marriages. The waiting list for babies/children to be adopted/purchased has increased drastically. Imagine, come to Canada. Get married. Adopt/buy a baby. What a holiday!"

"No one is going to tell me Debra Smith, who made the apprehension order to seize my baby, was promoted to associate chief justice because of her judicial integrity."

"My baby was stolen and I want her back."