A Saskatchewan man who fostered two infants and later adopted one says he has been left in limbo after separating from his partner, struggling to keep the same level of contact with a second child now in his care. The case underscores tensions between family transitions and the province’s foster-placement practices, and raises questions about how the Ministry of Social Services communicates with caregivers when living arrangements change.
Background and family situation
The man, identified in reporting only by his surname Killoh, and his former partner began fostering infants on several occasions. In March 2016 they adopted a son now known publicly as Jonathan or “J,” and in October 2019 they took in a second child, referred to as D, shortly after his birth. Jonathan is now 10 and D is six.
Following Killoh’s separation from his wife in 2022, the family dynamics changed. Because Jonathan’s adoption is finalized, Killoh remains legally recorded as his father and continues to have regular visits. The situation for D, however, has been more complicated: the child remains under the care of the Ministry of Social Services and Killoh’s role has become uncertain.
Communication problems with the ministry
Killoh says he received an unexpected call from the ministry earlier this year telling him he was no longer currently fostering a child and asking if he would consider fostering a different child. A subsequent letter stated there was no official record that his foster status had been revoked, while also suggesting the ministry believed he was not interested in continuing as a caregiver.
“If he actually hasn’t been terminated (as a foster parent), then why is it not possible for him to have contact with the case worker and be able to pick up the child from school and those kinds of things that he otherwise was able to do before?”
The quoted passage appears in correspondence referenced by Killoh and was raised by lawyer and mediator Charmaine Panko as part of the broader question about how ministry policy is applied when a caregiver becomes unable to care for a child.
Practical impacts for the family
From Killoh’s perspective, the change has restricted everyday parental activities he previously performed — such as school pick-ups and routine contact — even though there is no documented termination of his foster status. The ministry’s response, according to the letter, emphasised that when a current caregiver becomes unable to provide care, policy requires the exploration of extended family and community connections prior to considering other placements.
- Jonathan (J) — adopted in 2016; Killoh remains listed as father and has regular visits.
- D — came to the household in October 2019 and remains under ministry care; contact and caregiving arrangements are disputed following Killoh’s separation.
- Ministry correspondence notes no record of termination but indicates an assumption that Killoh was no longer interested in fostering.
What this means for other caregivers
The case highlights a few practical concerns that other foster caregivers may face when household circumstances change:
| Issue | Potential consequence |
|---|---|
| Unclear communication from ministry | Caregivers unsure of status and rights to contact |
| Policy to prioritise extended family/community placements | Existing caregivers may be bypassed if not clearly confirmed as available |
| Lack of formal termination record | Administrative inconsistency complicates day-to-day caregiving |
Those involved in foster care say clear, timely communication and well-documented decisions are essential to protect children’s stability and preserve meaningful relationships with caregivers who have acted as parents.
The ministry’s insistence on exploring extended family and community connections reflects statutory duties to consider culturally and relationally appropriate placements. Yet the gap between policy and practice, as described by Killoh and legal counsel, is where disputes and confusion can arise.
Questions about the specifics of ministry decision-making, timelines for placement reviews, and the rights of caregivers following relationship breakdowns remain central to this family’s efforts to retain day-to-day involvement in D’s life. The case is likely to be of interest to other Saskatchewan foster families navigating similar transitions.
For families in this situation, it may be useful to seek clarification from the Ministry of Social Services in writing, to request caseworker assignments and contact details, and to consult legal advice or mediation services if access and caregiving arrangements are contested.
(Reporting by InfoRadar Saskatchewan Local Affairs)
