Justice for Chantelle Williams: Conservatives issue an urgent call for accountability in the death of an indigenous youth in care
“Communities are tired of silence. We do not need more reports, press releases, or promises—we need accountability and immediate reform. One death is a tragedy. But when the system allows it to happen again and again, it becomes a crisis of accountability.”
-Amelia Boultbee, Conservative MLA for Penticton-Summerland and Opposition Critic for Children and Family Development
Victoria, BC – The Conservative Critic for Children and Family Development is calling on David Eby’s NDP government to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Chantelle Williams, after CBC News reported that members of her family said the 18-year-old froze to death in Port Alberni on January 28th, 2025. Chantelle was in the care of Usma Nuu-chah-nulth Family and Child Services when she died.
Chantelle’s family was informed by Usma, a delegated agency operating under the authority of the Ministry of Children and Family Services, that her death was due to “natural causes.”
“We don’t accept ‘natural causes’ as a sufficient answer. Not for a young girl. Not for anyone’s child. Chantelle mattered. Her life deserved more. We will not rest until her death is taken seriously,” said Amelia Boultbee, MLA for Penticton-Summerland.
“We stand with Chantelle’s family and community. We demand answers. And we demand action—because justice delayed is justice denied,” said Reann Gasper, MLA for Abbotsford-Mission, Conservative Critic for Child Care, Children and Youth with Support Needs.
“How can the sudden death of a young woman—barely into adulthood, still under provincial care—be considered natural?” asked Boultbee. “What exactly qualifies as ‘natural causes’ in the death of a child or youth in care? How many of these so-called natural or ‘undetermined’ deaths are occurring within the system?”
The passing of the 18-year-old is not an isolated incident. Chantelle is just one of many indigenous children and youth who have recently died while in the care of the Ministry.
The Conservative Party is calling on the provincial government to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding Chantelle’s death and to acknowledge the broader systemic failures that continue to put indigenous children at risk.
The Conservatives committed in the 2024 election platform to returning authority over indigenous child welfare to indigenous governments and communities, and to supporting culturally grounded, community-led treatment and recovery programs,
“Communities are tired of silence. We do not need more reports, press releases, or promises—we need accountability and immediate reform,” said Boultbee. “One death is a tragedy. But when the system allows it to happen again and again, it becomes a crisis of accountability.”
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