Children are vulnerable and children without loving parents to nurture and protect them are the most vulnerable of all. Children who are taken into the care of the government inevitably enter a bureaucracy. Bureaucracies can be self-serving. Children in care need an advocate who is independent of the government and can ensure that the best interests of the child are served.

Newspaper article:

Who will speak for the children (Yukon News - Nov 20/00)

In recent years, the Gove report in BC highlighted the inadequacies of that child protection system. This led to the development of an office called the Children's Commission. The work of the Children's Commission is to assess government services for children and youth under 19 in British Columbia, and to advise government on improving these services. The Children's Commission is independent of the Ministry for Children and Families and reports to the Attorney General.

In 1997, Ontario began a comprehensive reform of the child welfare system. This resulted in the formation of a Children's Secretariat.

Canada does not stack up well in terms of protecting the rights of children, particularly the most vulnerable children. The Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children looked at how Canada measured up on the UN Convention on the Rights of Children. Aboriginal and abused and neglected children were seen as vulnerable and falling through the cracks in our child welfare system.

On November 20, 2000 Mr. Dave Keenan (MLA Ross River - Southern Lakes) introduced Bill 101, Child, Youth and Family Advocacy Act, into the Yukon Legislature.

If you are concerned about children in care in the Yukon and/or you support the idea of a child advocate, here's a way to help.