Sault Ste. Marie city council voted tonight to collect more information before deciding whether to set up a temperature-controlled Hope's Cradle bassinet box where babies may be anonymously surrendered.
The request for deferral was requested by Ward 3 Coun. Angela Caputo and Ward 2's Lisa Vezeau-Allen, who convinced councillors in October, 2023 to authorize city staff to look into the idea.
Hope's Cradle established its first two secure, climate-controlled baby boxes, built into exterior walls in fire stations in Strathmore, Alta. and Taché, Man. in December 2021.
But here in the Sault, Children’s Aid Society of Algoma, Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, Nogdawindamin Family and Community Services, and Adopt Ontario all expressed reservations about Hope's Cradle, citing operational and legal issues under Ontario law.
Before an expected debate about the issue at tonight's city council meeting, Kate Kirkham, chief of paramedic services at District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board, submitted a letter voicing strong support for the idea.
"Given the socioeconomic challenges, mental health needs, and social stigma that persists in Sault Ste. Marie, the risk of infant abandonment, while rare, remains a real and concerning possibility," Kirkham said.
"A non-judgmental and supportive alternative like Hope's Cradle may offer a safe and effective solution in these unusual and serious cases."
The debate expected to occur at tonight's council meeting was headed off when Couns. Caputo and Vezeau-Allen introduced a deferral motion asking that the matter be referred back to appropriate staff for additional input and information.
"Coun. Vezeau-Allen and I were just hoping to be able to gather some more information, and for staff to be able to come back with a more fulsome report regarding how our legal team feels about Hope's Cradle," Caputo told the meeting. "We're hoping to move this to another date when that information can be provided."
The deferral motion passed and a legal opinion is expected to be drafted by Jeffrey King, who was appointed as city solicitor.
King will replace Karen Fields, who announced in April that she will withdraw from the practice of law and conclude her employment with the city as of Friday of this week.
King initially made a name for himself for his aggressive and successful prosecutions of vacant, derelict properties in the city.