UPDATE: P.E.I. child advocate public meetings begin this week

The first three sessions planned to hear from Islanders about a possible child advocate for P.E.I. have been cancelled due to the cleanup efforts after post-tropical storm Dorian left fallen trees and power lines across the province. 

Hearing from Islanders is the next step to establishing an independent child and youth advocate office in P.E.I.

The office will be mandated with promoting and protecting the rights and views of Island children and youth.

Consultations with public and private sector professionals, organizations and community groups serving children, youth and families have been ongoing since mid-August.

In July, a draft of the Child and Youth Advocate Act was prepared with intent to establish the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate as independent from government and reporting to the legislative assembly. All three party leaders and house leaders were then briefed on the draft legislation and all three committed support to moving the process forward to public consultation before government introduces the act in the fall sitting of the legislature.

Islanders are invited to share their thoughts in person at one of several public consultation sessions being held across the province or online through the province’s website.

The public meetings will be held at the following times and locations:

- Monday, Sept. 23, Montague High School, Montague, 6-8 p.m.

- Tuesday, Sept. 24, Souris High School, Souris, 6-8 p.m.

Three public meetings originally planned for this week in Charlottetown, Summerside and O’Leary will be rescheduled for a later date.

A decision will be made today on whether consultations scheduled for this evening in Summerside and tomorrow evening in Charlottetown go ahead. Visit www.princeedwardisland.ca/voiceforchildren for the latest updates.