Premier willing to consider child advocate, but 'first things first'

It's an issue both opposition parties in the P.E.I. legislature have refused to give up on, and Friday the premier signalled his government may yet be willing to consider creating a position for a child advocate for the province.

P.E.I. is the only province in Canada without a child advocate. Creating one was one of the recommendations from the inquest jury following the murder-suicide deaths of four-year-old Nash Campbell and his mother, Patricia Hennessey.

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Government responded to the inquest recommendations in the fall of 2015 saying it could protect Island children without creating a position for a child advocate, and since that time opposition parties have adamantly and frequently made the case one is needed.

'A question of first things first'

In other provinces, child advocates often investigate concerns raised about children living in foster care and group homes, mental-health services for youth and the education system. They also look out for the interests of children in difficult custody cases and similar situations where a child could be at risk.

Addressing the issue Friday, Premier Wade MacLauchlan said: "I don't think it's a question of why not or a question of either/or, it's a question of first things first."

Asked if that meant he was willing to consider creating a position for a child advocate, he replied: "You always have to be willing to consider what more you can do. And that's our whole approach as government, that's why we're happy to have a balanced budget: it enables us take a look at where the priorities are."

Bills debated

On Thursday night, MacLauchlan brought forward three of the four bills his government needs to pass in order to move forward with its plan to improve protections for Island children. That includes creating a position for a lawyer to represent children in custody hearings, and a co-ordinator to resolve conflicts between parents.

The Opposition carried on that debate for nearly three hours, arguing once again the need for a child advocate.

On Friday Opposition health critic James Aylward said there's merit in what the province is trying to do, but the changes don't go far enough.

"It's just a small piece of the overall puzzle. It's a good resource. It's a good tool to have. But until we have that independent office of the child advocate that is not beholden to any department, not beholden to the premier, I think they're missing the boat."

Cost of child advocate disputed

In response to a request from Green Leader Peter Bevan-Baker, MacLauchlan tabled in the legislature a review government conducted when it was considering whether to create an office for a child advocate.

According to that review, the province estimated the cost of that office to be between $700,000 and $1.3 million a year.

Bevan-Baker said that figure seems much too high, noting it's more than twice the combined cost for operating the offices of the Privacy Commissioner, Conflict of Interest Commissioner and Elections PEI.

Further documents tabled by the premier show New Brunswick's Office of the Child and Youth Advocate has a budget of $902,000 a year, while in the Yukon the figure is $500,000.

"It baffles me," Bevan-Baker said of P.E.I.'s cost estimate, noting he's asked for a further breakdown of the numbers, including how many positions that budget would pay for.

"It certainly didn't convince me that the choice government has made not to install an office of the child advocate is a justified one."

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