Premier announces province�s child and youth advocate

Premier Roger Grimes announced today the appointment of Lloyd L.W. Wicks, as the province�s first child and youth advocate simultaneously with the proclamation of the Child and Youth Advocate Act. Mr. Wicks� appointment is effective on September 16, 2002. The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate will open by the end of November 2002.

"The announcement of the child and youth advocate is another step toward fulfilling the commitments that I made to the people of the province to improve accessibility to government while protecting the rights and privacy of individuals," said Premier Grimes. "My government also appointed a citizens� representative and a petroleum products pricing commissioner. In the past year, I believe that government has introduced more initiatives to provide openness and accountability than any other government during any time in our history."

"I am very pleased that Mr. Wicks has accepted the position as the child and youth advocate for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador," said Premier Grimes. "Throughout his career, Mr. Wicks demonstrated his commitment to the protection, fulfillment and enrichment of children in his professional role as a judge and as a volunteer. Since his retirement from the bench, Mr. Wicks has continued to advocate for the province�s youth through his involvement in a wide range of community interests groups. I look forward to Mr. Wicks taking up his role and working to ensure the best interests of the youth of the province are represented. I wish him well in his new position."

The office of the Child and Youth Advocate is independent of the provincial government and reports directly to the House of Assembly. The legislation establishing the child and youth advocate received royal assent in the House of Assembly on December 13, 2001. The advocate will focus on public programs and services that have an impact on children and youth under 19. The advocate will also review enquiries and complaints from individual children and youth, up until the age of 21, for youth who are in care or custody until the age of 19.

Mr. Wicks was born in Valleyfield, Bonavista Bay. He was first appointed as a provincial court judge in 1963. He became the province�s first youth court judge in 1984 and remained in this position until his retirement from the Bench in 1993. Throughout his career, Mr. Wicks has prepared and delivered several notable decisions regarding the Criminal Code of Canada and the Young Offenders Act Since his retirement from the provincial court Bench, Mr. Wicks has held various appointments and has been an active volunteer in the community.

Media contact: Carl Cooper, Premier�s Office, (709) 729-3960.

Ministerial Statement

2002 05 13                           3:05 p.m.