Today, proposed changes to the Adult Protection Act 2021 were introduced for second reading in the House of Assembly.

The proposed changes are a result of the legislated five-year statutory review of the Act and feedback gathered from key stakeholders including Regional Health Authority staff and management, police, the Office of the Seniors’ Advocate, the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities, as well as community organizations and the public.

If passed, the proposed changes would:

• Continue to strengthen the rights of adults involved in the adult protection process, which includes legislating timelines on investigations and investigation orders to ensure cases are resolved in a safe and timely manner and ensuring all adults are provided legal representation when appropriate.
• Continue to ensure that the adult protection legislation is reflective of Indigenous and cultural considerations. These cultural connections will be recognized as a key service principle under the legislation, and cultural considerations will be embedded in the service plans that guide the care of all adults that may be in need of support and protective intervention.
• Ensure that Regional Health Authority staff have the ability to intervene and support the safety and well-being of adults for an interim period with court authority to allow time to work with adults and their loved ones to develop a safety plan and avoid resorting to more intrusive and enduring court orders.
• Reform declaration orders to ensure that these orders meet the specific needs of adults in need of protective intervention.

The purpose of the Adult Protection Act is to protect adults 18 years and older in Newfoundland and Labrador who are at risk of abuse, neglect and/or self-neglect, and who do not understand or appreciate that risk. The Act is operationalized through the four Regional Health Authorities, and the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development has overall responsibility for the administration of the Act.

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“I am pleased with the input gathered during the legislated statutory review and engagement process to help inform the proposed changes to the Adult Protection Act. The proposed changes I introduced today will further strengthen the adult protection process in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as incorporate Indigenous culture and identity in that process.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development

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Adult Protection Act

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Media contact
Khadija Rehma
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 730-2977
khadijarehma@gov.nl.ca