About Us

The Office of the Provincial Advocate reports directly to the Legislature and provides an independent voice for children and youth, including children with special needs and First Nations children.

The advocates receive and respond to concerns from children, youth and families who are seeking or receiving services under the Child and Family Services Act and the Education Act (Provincial and Demonstration Schools).

The Provincial Advocate may identify systemic problems involving children, conduct reviews and provide education and advice on the issue of advocacy and the rights of children.

The Office is guided by the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and has a strong commitment to youth involvement.

Just Released

Fresh off the presses a report produced by Canada's Child Advocates and Canada's Privacy Commissioners looking at the privacy issues for children and youth
who are online.

"THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW" Report on online privacy

CRC - part 1 of 4 (RealAudio Format)

CRC - part 1 of 4 (MP3 Format)

Part 1: Professor Marshall speaks about how Canada can better uphold the rights of children. Also a poem on mothers and sons.

November 2009 marks twenty years since the United Nations drafted and ratified the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (ICRC). In this series, we explore what children's rights mean in Canada and reflect on the original goals of the convention. In Part 1, Professor Marshall, who has studied the ICRC's progression, talks about the challenges of truly implementing the ICRC in Canada for those who work with children, but also for policy makers and educators. This episode also includes poetry on the topic of mothers and sons, as well as a reading of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child.

CRC - part 2 of 4 (RealAudio Format)

CRC - part 2 of 4 (MP3 Format)

Part 2: The Right to Education

In part 2, youth in and from Ontario foster care discuss what the right to educate means and what barriers youth at risk must overcome in fulfilling their right to an education. These voices recorded by the Network Community Group.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this series are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the Ontario Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth.

CRC - part 3 of 4 (RealAudio Format)

CRC - part 3 of 4 (MP3 Format)

Part 3: November 2009 marks twenty years since the United Nations drafted and ratified the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (ICRC).

In this series, we explore what children's rights mean in Canada and reflect on the original goals of the convention. In part 3, Amanda Paris passionately details how to realize the Right to Identity through youth-led organizing. She also highlights how the Lost Lyrics Project is helping youth uncover their roots. Also, Desiree talks about why newcomer youth still fail to see themselves represented positively in media, education or politics.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this series are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the Ontario Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth.

CRC - part 4 of 4 (RealAudio Format)

CRC - part 4 of 4 (MP3 Format)

Part 4: November 2009 marks twenty years since the United Nations drafted and ratified the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (ICRC).

In this series, we explore what children's rights mean in Canada and reflect on the original goals of the convention.
In Part 4, we interview child advocate John Meston about youth participation and Canadian benchmarks for the realization of the ICRC.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this series are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the Ontario Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth.

We Are Listening: A Special Report (RealAudio Format)

We Are Listening: A Special Report (MP3 Format)

Midori is a former youth in Japan's foster care system. She now advocates for children and in this in depth interview she reflects on Japan's approach to children's rights. November 19th marks 20 years since the U.N Convention on the Rights of the Child and through Midori's experience, we see many similarities between the challenges Japan and Canada are experiencing in implementation.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this series are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the Ontario Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth.

We Are Listening: Produced by the Ontario Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth