CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — P.E.I.’s legislators have passed a bill that will ensure the Island has an independent child and youth advocate.
The legislation, introduced on Tuesday, passed second reading on Wednesday after a brief debate. The legislation was introduced by Premier Dennis King and followed a period of consultation between the governing Progressive Conservatives and the Opposition Greens and Liberals.
"It was important coming out of the election with all the three parties making an independent child and youth advocate a priority,” King said. “It was one of the benchmarks that we thought we could build some cohesion going forward."
Former premier Wade MacLauchlan announced the creation of a child and youth advocate last January and appointed former deputy minister Michele Dorsey to the position. Opposition parties criticized the move at the time, arguing that the position was beholden and responsible only to the cabinet of the party in power.
In most other provinces in Canada, offices of child and youth advocates are independent and are often critical of government policy concerning children in care.
The new legislation establishes a child and youth advocate that is responsible to the legislative assembly. The position will be appointed on the recommendation of the standing committee on legislative management. Appointments will be for five-year terms and will require at least a two-thirds majority vote by members.
The advocate’s mandate will be to represent the rights, interests and viewpoints of children and youth.
"The way this is set up, it removes executive council, it removes government from having any kind of leadership role in this," King said. "We're going to take some leadership from the legislative assembly on this and we'll just be helpful in any way we can.”
King said he expected there to be a competitive and “exhaustive” search process for the new advocate. He expects applicants will be sought from across the country.
In the interim, the Island’s child and youth advocate will continue to be Dorsey.
"Michele Dorsey, who is currently in the role has played, really, a leadership role in the formation of this. She led the consultation process," King said. "I have no idea if she will apply for it, I haven't talked to her about that. But I certainly think she would be a great candidate."
King said he hoped the timeline for hiring a new child and youth advocate would proceed swiftly.
“I hope this is priority one now. I hope the process begins immediately,” King said.
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