Why no child advocate?

I was disappointed to see that the long and determined stand of Keith Peterson for the creation of a Child Advocate has continued to be met with indifference by the Premier.

I have admired Mr. Peterson’s efforts and remain baffled why there has been little or no progress on this matter. No other MLA seems to be very interested in this at all.

Nunavut cannot sit back and think its children are all doing fine; on the contrary, many are in deep need of protection, shelter, a secure environment, and the necessities of life — a loving home, predictable routines, sincere mentoring and the encouragement to move forward in their lives.

This is not always provided in their current home. In other cases, they are farmed out to people who are not truly interested in them and barely tolerate them at the best of times.

A Child Advocate would speak on behalf of the child; would be someone who could look into matters more deeply and have the power to shape and recommend better ways for supporting children.

Many of Nunavut’s children live in fear and uncertainty. We cannot afford to have dithering politicians who cannot confidently get up and actively and enthusiastically support that which is good and needed by them.

Why has it taken this long for MLA Peterson’s request to be heard? Why do we think something else is more important than children? Shame on us if we don’t care enough. We will reap the horrible consequences of being so blind.

I have been a foster parent for 23 years and rarely, if ever, have seen a child removed who did not need to have been taken away years earlier. I have worked hard to deal with these broken children. I ask for their sake that my name not be released.

(Name withheld by request)
Ottawa