Nunavut's representative for children and youth office opens

This Wednesday the office of Nunavut's children and youth representative's doors are finally opening in Iqaluit.

"As of September 30th, Nunavut's children and youth and their families will have an organization to go to when they have questions or concerns about child rights and government services," says Sherry McNeil-Mulak, the Nunavut representative for children and youth.

September 30 has special significance: it's the day the Representative for Children and Youth Act comes into force. That means that the office of the representative, as well as the Government of Nunavut, will be legally responsible for fulfilling their duties under the act.

By the end of this month, the office will have to carry out its mandate of raising public awareness about child and youth issues and making recommendations to the government on related legislation, policies, programs and services.  

"Really it means that any child, youth or concerned adult can contact us about any matter involving a child, his or her rights and government services and programs and we will listen and support them in having their interests heard and addressed," says McNeil-Mulak.

A long time coming

The opening of the Nunavut Children and Youth Representative's office follows almost a decade of lobbying and a promise to make the position a priority seven years ago. Nunavut appointed its first representative for children and youth last June.

The office is an independent body of the Legislative Assembly, tasked to ensure that the territorial government supports and protects the rights and interests of young Nunavummiut.

With 30 per cent of the population under the age of 14, Nunavut has the youngest population in Canada.The territory leads the country when it comes to suicide, poverty, hunger, violence and low high school graduation rates.

With a children and youth representative office open for business, youth will now have a place to go get help with these issues.

The office will be providing individual advocacy, systemic advocacy, and public awareness. In the future, the office will also conduct reviews of critical injuries and deaths.

At the opening, the representative addressed children and youth directly.

"I am often asked who I work for and my answer is very simple. I work for you," said McNeil-Mulak. "Our entire team works for you. We take our responsibility to you very seriously and we have worked carefully over the past year to build an office that is welcoming, supportive and meets your needs."