Strengthening Rights for Children and Youth

Summary#

This Manitoba bill updates the law that guides the Advocate for Children and Youth. Its goal is to make services for children and youth more inclusive and more focused on their rights. It also sets a regular schedule to review the law.

• Names children and youth of all gender identities in the law’s preamble and affirms their dignity.
• Recognizes guidance from three international rights documents: the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• Lets the Advocate make formal agreements with provincial departments and with organizations that deliver “designated services” (the programs named in the law that serve children and youth).
• Directs the Advocate to actively promote the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child while doing their work.
• Requires a full review of the Act every seven years, with a public report within one year of each review.
• Takes effect on the day it becomes law.

What it means for you#

• Children and youth

  • Your identity, including two-spirit, transgender, and non-binary, is explicitly recognized and respected in the law.
  • The Advocate can set up agreements to work more smoothly with government and service providers, which may reduce delays or gaps in help.
  • The Advocate will press for child-rights standards (like best interests, safety, and hearing your voice) across services.

• Families and caregivers

  • You may see better coordination among agencies that support your child, because the Advocate can formalize how they work together.
  • No new forms or steps for you; this is about how the Advocate and service systems operate.

• Indigenous communities and youth with disabilities

  • The law points to UNDRIP and the disability convention for guidance, which may influence service design, cultural safety, accessibility, and accountability over time.

• Service providers and community organizations

  • You may be asked to enter agreements with the Advocate to share information or coordinate services within existing privacy rules.
  • There may be more focus on inclusive practices and child-rights principles in policies, training, and reviews.

• General public

  • Regular seven-year reviews aim to keep the law current and responsive, with a report that can lead to changes.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Affirms the dignity of 2SLGBTQ+ children and youth and signals inclusive, respectful services.
• Uses widely accepted international rights standards to guide better outcomes for kids, Indigenous youth, and youth with disabilities.
• Agreement powers help the Advocate coordinate with government and providers, closing service gaps and speeding support.
• Requiring active advocacy for child-rights principles strengthens a child-centered approach across programs.
• Scheduled reviews improve transparency and keep the law up to date.

Opponents' View#

• Changes to the preamble may be mostly symbolic and may not, by themselves, improve services.
• Allowing agreements with government and providers could raise concerns about the Advocate’s independence or privacy if not carefully managed.
• Additional advocacy expectations might stretch the Advocate’s resources or shift focus away from investigations and case support.
• A seven-year review cycle could be seen as too infrequent, or as adding administrative work without clear benefits.
• Relying on international documents may not align with local priorities or could complicate service delivery.