Prince Edward Island announces independent Child and Youth Advocate Office

Children and youth across the province will soon have access to an independent office that will work to protect and promote their rights and advocate on their behalf with respect to services that fall under the legislation. 

“Our government has prioritized people and none are more important than the children and youth of Prince Edward Island. Making the Children and Youth Advocate Office independent from government is the right step forward. The mandate of this office is clear and I am confident that it will help empower and encourage the children and youth of this province reach their fullest potential.”

- Premier Dennis King

Earlier today, the Child and Youth Advocate Act passed third reading in the Legislative Assembly with unanimous support from all parties, a significant step forward in establishing an independent Child and Youth Advocate Office. 

The independent Children and Youth Advocate Office is modeled after United Nations Convention on the rights of the Child with a mandate to help address the systemic challenges children, youth and, by extension, families may face in the healthy development of future generations. 

In June draft legislation was shared with Islanders. Recommendations put forward by all three political parties, as well as community organizations and Islanders through public consultation helped finalize the legislation. In close collaboration with government and community, this office will help contribute to the healthy development of the next generation, where they will thrive to be valuable members of their community. 

“I am proud of the collaborative efforts from all members of the Legislative Assembly in moving this important piece of work forward for the benefit of our children. It is when we work together that we can do great things for this province and Islanders,” added Premier King. 

Media Contact:
Amanda Hamel
Executive Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Premier’s Office
(902) 368-4400
ahamel@gov.pe.ca 

Backgrounder: 

The Child and Youth Advocate and Office of the Child and Youth Advocate will:

• Communicate with a child or youth who is receiving or is eligible to receive a reviewable service privately and in confidence;
• Support, assist, inform and advise children, youth and their families about reviewable services;
• Provide information and advice to children, youth and their families about how to effectively access reviewable services and how to become effective self-advocates with respect to those reviewable services to enhance the quality of reviewable services they receive;
• Represent the rights, interests and viewpoints of children and youth receiving or eligible to receive reviewable services, to include advocating on their behalf;
• Promote and provide public education and advocacy respecting the rights, interests and well-being of children and youth;
• Receive and review any matter relating to a child, youth or group of children or youth;
• Inform the public about the needs and rights of children and youth, including information about the office;
• Monitor implementation of recommendations and reports created by the Office;
• Promote the rights of children and youth in relation to government legislation, policies, protocols, practices and reviewable services to children and youth;
• Promote and provide public education and advocacy respecting the rights, interests and well-being of children and youth;
• Work with individuals, families, communities, public bodies, community organizations and non-governmental organizations, as well as with other governments, to support and create opportunities for the well-being of children and youth; 
• Undertake or collaborate in research related to improving reviewable services or addressing the needs of children and youth receiving reviewable services; and,
• Review, investigate and report on serious injuries and deaths of children and youth.