she is frustrated at being given the run-around, and scared for her daughter’s future.
“when she has to get services by herself, and i’m not with her, is she going to be able to explain herself and get the things she needs?” mcnamara said. “for her, it’s not a question of language preference. for her, (english words) are the only words she knows how to say.”
mcnamara has filed a complaint with a commissioner at the clsc, but was told it would be 45 days before she hears back.
“it’s ridiculous that this has been going on for so many years,” she said. “it’s not normal.”
julie lemieux-côté, a spokesperson for the cisss des laurentides, said the agency’s file with the family dates back to 2017; but since olivia was receiving private psycho-education at the time, and no other needs were noted, the file was closed.
lemieux-côté said the family opened a new request for education services, and was put on a waiting list at clsc thérèse-de-blainville, before moving to ste-marthe-sur-le-lac.
regarding the educator’s recent visit, lemieux-côté noted the family had declined the educator’s offer to work with olivia in english with mcnamara present, and had requested an anglophone educator.
“olivia’s file will be assigned to an anglophone educator soon,” lemieux-côté said, “and a followup will be done with the family in a few days.”