Child Advocate Demands Overhaul of Death Review Process

New Brunswick's child and youth advocate is advocating for critical reforms to the child death review process. Advocate Kelly Lamrock was not notified of the death of a 16-year-old boy, identified as Bobby, who died of an overdose. Bobby had been in government care and his death followed at least 15 documented safety warnings issued to the Department of Social Development.

Lamrock learned of Bobby's case through an independent non-profit organization, not through the official channels of the province's child death review committee. This committee is tasked with reviewing cases of children who received Social Development services and making recommendations to prevent future deaths.

Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin stated that the review into Bobby's case has taken longer than expected. Lamrock believes this situation necessitates a re-evaluation of the entire review process and seeks a legislative amendment to mandate notification of his office when a child dies in a government-funded or controlled setting.

This call for change follows previous audits by the auditor general, who in December 2024, also identified issues with the timeliness and transparency of child death reviews. While the minister has pledged to review the committee's processes for efficiency, he has not committed to updating the law. Lamrock emphasizes that timely notification is crucial for identifying and addressing gaps in government services, potentially saving young lives.

Further complicating matters, the department removed a 30-day reporting rule for child death review recommendations, citing a different requirement in the coroner's act. While coroners must send reports to the minister within six months, the minister's obligation to table them with the legislature is only "as soon as possible." These reports are typically published years later in annual coroner services reports. Previously, the department published some death information via news releases, but this practice has ceased, and some committee work has been removed from the province's website due to privacy concerns.