The Honourable Paul Lane, Speaker of the House of Assembly, welcomes Wilma MacInnis to the position of Child and Youth Advocate. The appointment, effective June 15, was confirmed by resolution of the House of Assembly on June 1 in accordance with Section 4 of the Child and Youth Advocate Act. She succeeds Linda Clemens-Spurrell who retired on August 12, 2025.
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“I wish to extend my sincere congratulations to Wilma MacInnis on her appointment as Child and Youth Advocate and I wish her well in this position. Ms. MacInnis has considerable knowledge and experience in the area, which will be an asset in this important role. On behalf of the House of Assembly, I would also like to thank Karen Grey for her exceptional commitment and exemplary public service during the time she served as the acting Child and Youth Advocate.”
Honourable Paul Lane
Speaker of the House of Assembly
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Learn more
Office of the Child and Youth Advocate website: www.childandyouthadvocate.nl.ca
Media contact
Kimberly Ryan
House of Assembly
709-729-6943
kimberlyryan@assembly.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Wilma MacInnis holds a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Memorial University. She has been a registered Social Worker in Newfoundland and Labrador since 1993.
Prior to her appointment as the Child and Youth Advocate of Newfoundland and Labrador in June 2026, Wilma held the position of Director of Strategic Services and Outreach at the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate (OCYA) since 2018. In this senior management role, Wilma was responsible for providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, project management, as well as corporate functions, including budget management, human resources, strategic planning, annual reporting, and information management. She directed all business continuity processes, as well as communications and media relations.
Wilma’s true passion in this role was community outreach and public education focusing on the rights of children and youth. She forged strong connections throughout the province through her Social Work practice, community work, and committee participation. Wilma was energized by the individuals and groups she met with, particularly by her interactions with children and youth. She carries this passion into her role as the Child and Youth Advocate.
In 2025, Wilma took on the additional role of Director of Individual Advocacy, which required case and clinical supervision of the Office’s frontline Individual Advocacy Specialists. This role involved significant interaction with service providers, as well as interpretation of legislation and government policies, to address highly sensitive and complex matters involving young people.
In her career, Wilma worked in various capacities throughout the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. She served as a Victim Services Regional Coordinator, Provincial Manager of Victim Services, Program and Policy Development Specialist, Director of Quality Assurance, Provincial Director of Family Justice Services, and the Director of Court Services with the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. Wilma was also the inaugural social worker in the province for the Huntington Society of Canada.
Wilma has a sincere interest in and significant experience with rights related issues affecting children and youth. Her career has primarily focused on providing and directing front-line services to children and youth, giving her a comprehensive understanding of legislation, programs, policies, and services that pertain to children and youth.
Over the years, Wilma has volunteered as a soccer and basketball coach, served as a volunteer Board member of a youth organization, and has been a regular blood donor for 16 years. Wilma is passionate about the importance of physical wellbeing and mental health, and enjoys running and regular exercise classes.
During her 33-year career, Wilma’s Social Work practice has always been rooted in building strong and respectful relationships with others. She lives by this famous Maya Angelou quote: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”