(Quebec) The Legault government is implementing the flagship recommendation of the Laurent commission by establishing a position of commissioner for the well-being and rights of children who will have the same status as the Public Protector or the Auditor General.
The Minister responsible for Social Services, Lionel Carmant, submitted a bill to the Salon Bleu this Thursday to create this new position. Once adopted, the commissioner will benefit from total independence, will be appointed on the proposal of the Prime Minister following a vote of two-thirds of deputies and will have the mission of ensuring the protection of the interests of children aged 0 to 17. et des jeunes adultes (18-25 ans) qui ont été pris en charge pendant leur enfance par la direction de la protection de la jeunesse.
Dans le cadre de son mandat, le futur commissaire pourra réaliser des mandats pour évaluer les programmes étant destinés aux enfants, mais aussi les répercussions des décisions politiques et administratives de l’État sur leurs droits et leur bien-être. Un poste de commissaire associé est également créé. His task will be to devote himself to indigenous children. This person will be appointed by the government “following consultation with the communities”.
In spring 2021, the special commission on children’s rights and youth protection, chaired by Régine Laurent, recommended establishing a commissioner for the well-being and rights of children. This commission was established by Quebec following the death of a 7-year-old girl in Granby, in the spring of 2019, which had raised gaps in the youth protection system for supporting vulnerable families.