Service provider to provide information, inquire
 4. (1) A service provider shall comply with this section, (a) as part of the process of the service provider beginning to provide a service to a child; (b) as part of the process of the service provider making a decision respecting a service provided to the child if the decision materially affects or is likely to materially affect the child’s interests; and (c) when the service provider becomes aware of new information that suggests that a child has an identity characteristic previously unknown to the service provider or that an identity characteristic of the child may have changed. (2) Subject to subsection (4), the service provider shall inform the child and the following individuals about the service provider’s obligation to take into account the identity characteristics of the child and regional differences: 1. In the case of a child who is not in the care of a society, a parent of the child. 2. In the case of a child who is in the care of a society, except for extended society care, a person who was the child’s parent immediately before the child was placed in the care of the society. 3. In the case of a child who is being cared for under customary care, the person who, immediately before the child was placed in customary care, was the child’s parent. (3) Subject to subsection (4) and in addition to complying with subsection (2), in the case of a First Nations, Inuk or Métis child, the service provider shall inform the child and the individuals described in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of subsection (2) about the service provider’s obligation to take into account the child’s cultures, heritages, traditions, connection to community and the concept of the extended family. (4) The requirements in this section apply in respect of an individual described in paragraph 1, 2 or 3 of subsection (2) only if, (a) to the knowledge of the service provider, the individual is aware that the child is receiving the service provided by the service provider; and (b) the service provider is able to contact the individual after making reasonable efforts to do so. (5) The service provider shall, (a) ask the child what information, if any, the child wishes to have the service provider take into account when making decisions, (i) in relation to the child’s identity characteristics, and (ii) in relation to regional differences, such as the fact that the child is from a region that is different from the region in which the services may be provided to the child; (b) in addition to complying with clause (a), in the case of a First Nations, Inuk or Métis child, ask the child what information about the child’s cultures, heritages, traditions, connection to community and the concept of the extended family the child wishes to have the service provider take into account in relation to any aspect of providing services to the child and the child’s family; (c) ask the child how the child wishes to have the service provider take into account any information identified under this section; (d) inform the child that, at any time, the child may provide the service provider with additional information in relation to matters referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (c); (e) offer the child the opportunity to name one or more individuals as resource persons as described in section 5; (f) if the service provider is required to provide information to an individual under subsection (2), (i) ask the individual what information, if any, in relation to matters described in subclauses (a) (i) and (ii) they wish to have the service provider take into account when making decisions, (ii) in the case of a First Nations, Inuk or Métis child, ask the individual what information, if any, about the child’s cultures, heritages, traditions, connection to community and the concept of the extended family they wish the service provider to take into account in relation to any aspect of providing services to the child and the child’s family, (iii) ask the individual how they wish to have the service provider take into account any information identified under this section; and (iv) offer the individual the opportunity to name one or more individuals as resource persons as described in section 5. (6) If the child is unable to communicate to the service provider whether or not there is any information that the child wishes to have the service provider take into account in response to any of the inquiries under subsection (5) and there is no individual to whom information is provided under subsection (2), the service provider shall make reasonable efforts to determine if any of this information is otherwise available to the service provider and that the service provider considers to be reliable from, (a) the service provider’s file; (b) another service provider, if any, that referred the child to the service provider to whom this section applies; or (c) subject to subsection (7), a relative or sibling of the child who may reasonably be expected to have such information. (7) The requirement in clause (6) (c) applies in respect of a relative or sibling only if, (a) to the knowledge of the service provider, the relative or sibling is aware that the child is receiving the service provided by the service provider; and (b) the service provider is able to contact the relative or sibling after making reasonable efforts to do so. (8) The service provider shall document the steps it took to comply with this section, including the information it provided and received and how it took into account information under this section.