Proposed Child Well-Being Act Needs Work: Lamrock

New Brunswick’s proposed Child and Youth Well-Being Act is an excellent first draft, but it still needs work, according to the province’s child and youth advocate.

It comes more than two weeks after delivering his Easier to Build report, calling on the province to reclaim a sense of urgency for at-risk kids in the welfare system.

Speaking to reporters from Whitehorse, Yukon, on Tuesday morning, Kelly Lamrock said the bill, introduced by Department of Social Development Minister Bruce Fitch, does not uphold the rights of children in care.

He said it recognizes the right for kids to be heard in the courts, but not other fundamental rights.

“If it is passed as is in a rush, then frankly, it is letting kids down a little bit,” said Lamrock.

“We have got to have a process where … the minister is going to appear before the committee, and he is going to have to … explain how we are going to address the fact that we do not have a declaration of children’s rights.”

Lamrock said Ontario’s Child, Youth and Family Services Act includes 18 sections dedicated to a child’s rights, and he wants the same for New Brunswick.

Still, Lamrock said it is an improvement from the status quo, noting more options for home placements, emphasizing permanency for children in care and a child’s best interests, and shortening “unacceptable” court delays.

“This is an excellent start on addressing a number of issues that have lingered too long in child protection,” he said. “We are certainly pleased to see that, but there are some areas where we are very much wanting to see some changes.”

The Office of the Child, Youth and Seniors’ Advocate has made nine recommendations to the government on amendments to this bill, such as a firm definition for the rights of kids and meaningful transitional services for children leaving the system once they reach adulthood.

Lamrock hopes the Department of Social Development will take his office’s suggestions and make the appropriate changes.

The full review of New Brunswick’s Child and Youth Well-Being Act is available here.