Under section 13.5 of the Fatalities Investigations Act, the Minister of Justice and Public Safety is required, within 60 days after receiving a report from the Child Death Review Committee (CDRC), to make public those recommendations relating to:

• Relevant protocols, policies and procedures;
• Standards and legislation;
• Linkages and coordination of services; and
• Improvements to services affecting children and pregnant women.

The CDRC forwarded a report to the Minister of Justice and Public Safety on May 23, 2018. The report examines the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of a youth as the result of accidental drowning in Newfoundland and Labrador. This report resulted in the following recommendation:

• The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development incorporate materials from the Lifesaving Society of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Drowning Research beginning at least by Grade 7 and to teach boating and water safety. Also, that this information be relayed to parents at least once a year, including in the spring.

This report has been forwarded to the Child and Youth Advocate.

– 30 –

Media contact
Lesley Clarke
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-6985, 699-2910
LesleyClarke@gov.nl.ca