New Brunswick to hold hearings on failures of child welfare system after teen’s death
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Digital Subscription
One year of digital access for only $1.44 a week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $5.77 plus GST every four weeks. After 52 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
FREDERICTON – New Brunswick legislators agreed Friday to hold hearings on systemic failures within the province’s child welfare system.
The hearings are in response to a report from the youth advocate that severely criticized the Social Development Department in the overdose death of a teenager.
Kelly Lamrock, the advocate, said the 16-year-old’s death last year could have been prevented had the system acted with more humanity.
Members unanimously approved the Liberal motion to direct the legislature’s social policy committee to hold hearings within 30 days on the youth protection system.
Social Development Minister Cindy Miles says she accepted all the recommendations in Lamrock’s report and would be working to enact changes.
Glen Savoie, the Progressive Conservative leader, said he backed the effort but hopes the government will allow the opposition to call witnesses in what he described as a “never again” moment to avoid future similar advocate reports.
During a lengthy and heated back-and-forth in the legislature, Savoie pushed the Liberals to ensure there were immediate accountability measures beyond an internal review.
All parties agreed to work together on a transparent process to examine Lamrock’s findings and implement necessary changes to prevent future tragedies.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2026.