HUMA Committee Report

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Committee Report

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APPENDIX A: PROVINCIAL CHILDREN’S ADVOCATES

Presently, nine of the ten provinces have children’s advocates or ombudsmen. Their main role is one of advocacy as well as ensuring that the rights of children and youth are taken into account within communities, in government practice, as well as in policy and legislation. The following table outlines the mandate, legislative basis and reporting method of the provincial children’s advocates:

Table 1—Mandate, Legislative Basis and Reporting Arrangements of Provincial Children’s Advocates

Province	Title	Legislation	Reporting Arrangement	General Mandate
Alberta	Child and Youth Advocate	The Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act	Reports to the Minister of Children and Youth Services	Works to ensure the rights of children and youth are respected in government practice, policy and legislation. Promotes the interests of children who have concerns about provincial services. Engages in public education. Works to resolve disputes and conduct independent investigations. Recommends improvements of programs for children to the government and/or assembly The Quebec Commission also works to ensure that the principles set forth in the Quebec Charter are upheld.
British Columbia	Representative of Children and Youth	Representative of Children and Youth Act	Reports to the provincial legislature
Manitoba	Children’s Advocate	The Child and Family Services Act	Reports to the provincial legislature
New Brunswick	Child and Youth Advocate	Child and Youth Advocate Act	Reports to the provincial legislature
Newfoundland and Labrador	Child and Youth Advocate	Child and Youth Advocate Act	Reports through the provincial legislature
Nova Scotia	Representative of the Ombudsman for Children and Youth	Ombudsman Act	Reports through the ombudsman, who reports to the provincial legislature
Ontario	Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth	Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth Act	Reports to the provincial legislature
Quebec	Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse	Charte des droits et libertés de la personne	Reports directly to the National Assembly
Saskatchewan	Children’s Advocate	The Ombudsman and Children’s Advocate Act	Reports to the provincial legislature

Source: Havi Echenberg, Karin Phillips, Minister of State for Children, PRB 08- 03E, Parliamentary Information and Research service, Library of Parliament, Ottawa, April 15, 2008, table updated on January 24, 2011.