The transcript for this witness testimony is currently in production by our volunteers. It will be available soon here on this page and as a downloadable PDF.

Summary

Pamela Feres provides compelling testimony about the traumatic experiences her family endures at the hands of Quebec’s child protection services (DPJ). She describes how three of her four adopted special needs children were wrongfully apprehended by authorities despite her exemplary record as an educator and caregiver. Her daughter Charissa, who has Asperger’s, was taken at age 14 after voluntarily entering rehab, with a judge declaring on the first day of court that she would never return home. Her daughter Shanice, a little person with multiple medical conditions, was taken at age 11 and remains missing in the system at age 24, with reports of being taken to hotels during a blues concert – a known venue for trafficking. Her son Jezeriah, who has Down syndrome and autism, was taken at age 8 from Ontario without a warrant and remains institutionalized at age 20. Ms. Feres reveals systemic corruption within the child protection system, including witnesses admitting they were forced to lie in court, judges ignoring perjury, and social workers without proper credentials making life-altering decisions. Despite having 14 human rights complaints filed and possessing medical documentation supporting her excellent care, all investigations were closed without action. She describes how her children suffered severe medical neglect in state care, with Jezeriah developing pneumonia, sepsis, and 13 ear infections after being removed from her care. The testimony exposes how the system prevents family reunification, denies children their voice in proceedings, and maintains control even after children reach adulthood through the Public Curator system.

Credentials

Pamela Feres is a dedicated adoptive mother with degrees in early childhood and special education who has fought tirelessly for over a decade to reunite with her special needs children. She brings extensive experience in education and child development to her advocacy work. As an educator and special needs advocate, Ms. Feres testifies about the systemic failures within Quebec’s child protection services (DPJ) that led to the wrongful apprehension of her three special needs adopted children. She describes how her children were taken without valid reasons, subjected to inadequate care, and in one case potentially trafficked, while the courts ignored evidence and testimony supporting family reunification. Pamela Feres holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University (1980-1983) and a Master’s degree in Special Education from McGill University (1983-1986). She has dedicated her professional life to working with children, running the Feres Alternative Learning Center for 11 years and receiving numerous accolades including Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 award. As an adoptive mother of four special needs children, she has extensive personal and professional experience in caring for children with complex needs including Down syndrome, autism, Asperger’s, achondroplasia, and other medical conditions. Her commitment to child welfare and education has been recognized through multiple awards, media appearances, and newspaper articles highlighting her exceptional programs for special needs children.