PEIPrince Edward Island wants more foster parents to address a provincewide shortage that’s meant some kids have to stay in group homes.’We’re kind of in dire straits here,’ says social development ministerRyan McKellop · CBC News · Posted: Nov 05, 2025 6:11 PM EST | Last Updated: 1 hour agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesNew campaign hopes to recruit more foster parents in P.E.I. The province is looking for more people to become foster parents.There is a shortage on the Island, and that means some kids are having to stay in group homes instead. CBC’s Sheehan Desjardins reports.Prince Edward Island wants more foster parents to address a provincewide shortage that’s meant some kids have to stay in group homes.A new government campaign called Every Open Door Fosters Futures aims to help recruit more families by raising awareness about the issue. Barb Ramsay, P.E.I.’s minister of social development and seniors, said more kids are entering the system as foster parents are aging out.”I hope that people understand the importance of fostering children here on Prince Edward Island, and that they understand not just what they’re going to give to the children, but what they’re going to receive from the children,” she said.”We’re kind of in dire straits here. We have 86 foster families in place, but only 51 right now who are receiving children.”Barb Ramsay, minister of social development and seniors, says P.E.I. is in dire straits in terms of the number of foster families in the province. (Sheehan Desjardins/CBC)There are currently 110 children in the care of the province’s director of child protection, Mike Henthorn. In recent times, he said, it might be hard for working families to take on more responsibilities.”In the past there’s been maybe one parent that would be home full time,” he said.”Now we see families that have both parents working full time, and also being stretched to the limit. So oftentimes that could be hard for families to take on something else.”Henthorn said his department is looking into more supports for Island foster families.Mike Henthorn, director of child protections says his department is always looking at ways to support foster parents on P.E.I. (Sheehan Desjardins/CBC)”We know that is an important, critical part of it,” he said. “We have a team of people that are examining that, looking at jurisdictions, making sure that we’re giving as much as we can to foster parents doing a critically important job.”Younger foster parents neededOne of those foster parents is Mary Noye, who is also the president of the P.E.I. Federation of Foster Families. She’s fostered over 100 children. She said this campaign is an important part of helping the Island’s foster children throughout their lives.”To make a difference in children’s lives and help them see a better life, we… help them to get through with the trauma that they’ve been through,” Noye said.”It’s really sad how much really does go on in our province that we really don’t see how many children are hurting…. We just wanted to make a difference and [I] feel like we have.”WATCH | Megan Burnside talks about what it’s like being a foster parent:With the province looking for more, what’s it like being a foster parent on P.E.I.? A new program, Every Open Door Fosters Futures, is aimed at recruiting foster families and respite providers in P.E.I. It highlights not just the need, but also the positive impact it has on both the children and the families involved. CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin spoke with foster parent Megan Burnside about her experience.Noye said there’s been a push to get younger people to become foster parents. “They told us that 33 per cent of our foster parents were seniors, and that’s a lot. So they try to really get the young people,” she said. “We need to see those numbers rise up so we have the proper support for the children…. There are children there that need to move on to a good home, good family.”ABOUT THE AUTHORRyan McKellop is a graduate of the Holland College journalism program and is working as an Associate Producer and Web Writer. Got a story idea? Email ryan.mckellop@cbc.caWith files from Sheehan Desjardins
Province launches campaign to address shortage of foster parents in P.E.I.
