Child and Youth Advocate urgently needed in wake of Auditor General’s report

HALIFAX – Following a scathing report from Auditor General Kim Adair, the NSNDP is calling on the Houston government to immediately take action to set up the Child and Youth Advocate promised in this spring’s budget. The Public Accounts Committee will review Adair’s report today.

“Children and young people in Nova Scotia deserve a dedicated advocate to address issues like what was found in this report and like exists in many other provinces,” said Susan Leblanc, NDP MLA and public accounts committee member. “An advocate could review the state of the child welfare system more frequently and in more depth than the Auditor General’s office can and make sure that the children and young people in care have the support they need.”

The Auditor General’s report found that use of Temporary Emergency Arrangements has risen dramatically in recent years, from 36 to 138 in five years time. The average length of stay in these arrangements is over eight months when they’re met to be used only for periods of up to four days.

“There are a lot of gaps and too many children are falling through them,” said NSNDP MLA and committee member Lisa Lachance. “We need more investment from the province to give staff and young people the resources they need and a Child and Youth Advocate to be there to uphold the commitment to care for the children in care.”

The Houston government tabled legislation in March to create an Office for Children and Youth but without any timelines or budget commitment.

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