I have some big news: I will retire this month. These words seem surreal as I see them in print. I am very excited about the next new phase of my life, but it will be hard when the door closes behind me at the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate for the last time. I know it will be bitter sweet. While I have had some amazing opportunities throughout my career, having the privilege to serve as the Child and Youth Advocate for Newfoundland and Labrador has been the true highlight. The choice to retire has been the hardest decision of my entire public service life

I would like to thank my dedicated team, and all the individuals and organizations that work so hard for children and youth every day. This is challenging and relentless work, but it is vitally important. Young people are depending on all of us to do our best every single day. I would also like to thank the media for its interest in covering children’s issues and rights, and for its sensitivity in reporting these stories. I have seen this evolve over the years and this progress is very reassuring.

While my work as Advocate will soon be finished, the work of independently advocating for children and youth in Newfoundland and Labrador is far from completed. The new (yet to be named) Advocate will have an amazing multidisciplinary and experienced team to help advance this work. I wish the new Advocate much success in advancing children’s rights. I hope this person finds the work as meaningful, purposeful and rewarding as I have.

Jackie Lake Kavanagh
Child and Youth Advocate

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Media contact
Wilma MacInnis
Office of the Child and Youth Advocate
709-753-3888
wilmamacinnis@ocya.nl.ca