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Watchdog's to-do list

The woman who has been watching out for British Columbia's children and youth for the last decade urged improved child welfare services for indigenous children, more help for kids leaving foster care and a government-wide children's plan.

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond has given her last report to a standing committee on children and youth at the B.C. Legislature.

B.C.'s first representative of children and youth was a fierce advocate for vulnerable young people during her tenure, and her report outlined several of her office's accomplishments including reducing the number of children in care and improving their education outcomes.

But her report also says more help is urgently needed for the average of 700 youth a year in the province who "age out" of care when they turn 19 and are more likely to become homeless, to run afoul of the justice system and to have mental-health or substance-abuse issues.

Turpel-Lafond added the percentage of aboriginal children in care has increased in the last decade and both the provincial and federal governments can and should do more to help indigenous young people.

Children's Minister Stephanie Cadieux thanked Turpel-Lafond for her service and says the ministry has addressed more than 70 per cent of her recommendations, with the rest either under way or in development.



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