The NWT is the only jurisdiction in Canada without some form of child and youth advocate. A motion calling for its creation passed in the legislature on Thursday.
Regular MLAs backed by nine votes to zero a motion brought by Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart and seconded by Monfwi MLA Jane Weyallon Armstrong. All seven cabinet members abstained.
The motion is not binding on cabinet but sends a strong signal about regular MLAs’ appetite for change. It does not require a government response within 120 days, as some motions do – Testart said he did not want to wait for an answer.
“We don’t need 120 days for an answer. We need that answer today,” he told the legislature. “We’re engaged in a budget process right now. There’s money to be spent. We can make this possible.”
In response, health and social services minister Lesa Semmler said the GNWT would begin a study of tools currently available to assess the gaps that a child and youth advocate might cover.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
The motion sought the creation of a child and youth advocate’s office within the Legislative Assembly, plus the introduction of legislation defining the advocate’s powers – including the authority to investigate complaints and initiate systemic reviews.
While other provinces and territories handle that function in different ways, from dedicated standalone offices to roles within an existing ombud office, each has something in place.
Testart described systemic problems in the NWT’s Child and Family Services system, where more than 90 percent of children in care are Indigenous.
He described situations in which foster homes were closed with little notice, children were moved without transition plans and families were not consulted – arguing an advocate could bring parties together and recommend changes.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
“I have never seen so many consistent trends with such similar concerns at such a high volume,” Testart said.
Frame Lake MLA Julian Morse said the issue was raised almost 900 times in the legislature between 2003 and 2022, a figure previously cited by Morse’s predecessor in that district, Kevin O’Reilly.
“Here we are in 2026 and it feels like we are still no closer to creation of an advocate,” Morse said. “The time is now.”
Cabinet pledges review
Semmler said the territorial government would “proceed with a thorough assessment of all existing oversight and complaint pathways” for children and youth before deciding how to act.
Semmler told MLAs the government needed to understand where gaps exist and whether a statutory advocate is the best approach, or whether enhancing existing structures “could achieve the same or better outcome for young people.”
She said the government would report back to the legislature on its findings.
Testart, though, pushed back on the idea of further study.
“We don’t need any more studies,” he said as he closed debate on the motion.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
“You’ve had plenty of time to study, you’ve had plenty of time to assess it and in the past, you’ve had plenty of time to say no. Now is the time to say yes.
“Do it, because what we have now is not working.”
Several MLAs spoke in support of the motion, with some describing personal experiences working with families in the child welfare system.
Weyallon Armstrong, seconding the motion, said the NWT was “in a crisis situation” with more than 90 percent of children in care being Indigenous.
“We need to find ways of helping and working with the children and their families. The advocate office will help in the process,” she said.
Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan acknowledged the weight of history around decisions involving Indigenous children, but said the current system – in which the director of Child and Family Services holds significant power over children’s lives – needed more checks and balances.
Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins said the concept was proven in every other jurisdiction. “I don’t know what the NWT government knows that 10 provinces and two territories don’t see,” he said.
Great Slave MLA Kate Reid, noting other jurisdictions handle child and youth advocacy differently, said she had explored a “middle path” through the NWT’s existing ombud office. She said she would support the motion, saying the issue “cannot be ignored.”
Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya said she initially had reservations about creating another oversight body, but her experience working with a constituent trying to regain custody of a child changed her mind. “I see how this process could help her,” Yakeleya said.
Sahtu MLA Danny McNeely and Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Denny Rodgers also spoke in support of the motion.
