QUESTION PERIOD — Families, Children and Social Development
Proposed Office of the Commissioner for Children and Youth
November 5, 2020
This question is for the Government Representative. Following the last election, the government realigned ministerial responsibilities in their mandate letters. In the last Parliament, the Prime Minister was also the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Youth.
Following the shuffle, Minister Chagger took on the role of Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and presumably picked up the work that the Prime Minister was doing in this area. I am closely following the repeated request in the motion of Senator Moodie for the development of a child commissioner. As I review this important request, I want to understand, first, which government department is presently assisting the minister in this critical work on behalf of and for our youth, and, second, what the impetus was behind giving the youth file to Minister Chagger. Are some of the important needs cited by Senator Moodie being addressed in that portfolio now?
Senator, thank you for the question. I’ve been advised that Senator Moodie’s Bill S-210, which proposes to establish the office of the commissioner for children and youth in Canada, falls under the purview of Minister Hussen, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.
With regard to your second question, I will inquire with the government and report back.
