Former NB lawyer named BC’s new Representative for Children and Youth

A new B.C. Representative for Children and Youth was recommended by a special selection committee Tuesday.

New Brunswick lawyer Bernard Richard has been named for the challenging post, which had been occupied by Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond for the last decade.

The committee says it was impressed by Richard’s passion for serving children and youth, his successful management of public sector organizations and his considerable experience with indigenous communities.

The Representative for Children and Youth is a non-partisan officer, who provides advocacy services to children, young adults and families; monitors, reviews and audits the effectiveness of services; as well as reviews, investigates and reports on the critical injuries and deaths of children.

In her one-on-one interview with Global News last month, outgoing representative Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond said she hoped her replacement would be appointed soon, because “the dust was starting to collect” in her office, and “it is not an office where there can be a gap, because there are about 50 to 200 cases on any given day that require pretty immediate attention.”

WATCH: An extended interview with Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond about her legacy and what still needs to be done.

14:38 One-on-one with B.C. children’s advocate Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond

In a statement released today, Turpel-Lafond said she worked closely with Richard when he was Child Advocate in New Brunswick and was impressed with his knowledge, child-focus and capacity to be an independent advocate to affect change.

“He produced important work on child and youth mental health, and exposed the difficulties Aboriginal children and youth face when they seek support from the mainstream child welfare system,” said Turpel-Lafond.

Richard has previously practised law in Cap-Pelé, New Brunswick. He was elected to the Cap-Pelé municipal council and served as deputy mayor. Richard served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1991 to 2003, and held a number of ministerial posts.

In 2004, Richard assumed the responsibilities of New Brunswick Ombudsman, including oversight of right to information and privacy matters.

In 2006, Richard received the mandate of New Brunswick’s first child and youth advocate. He has published a number of reports, most notably pertaining to youth mental health, First Nations child welfare and the youth criminal justice system.

The committee’s recommendation to appoint Richard will be formalized once the Legislative Assembly is convened.

Once formally confirmed, Richard’s appointment is for the next five years, but can be renewed for one additional five-year term.