Reaction to Bill 37

On February 6, 2024, Ombudsperson Marc-André Dowd approached the Committee on Health and Social Services to comment on Bill 37 – Act respecting the Commissioner for Children’s Well-Being and Rights.

He began by expressing his openness to the Bill and to creation of the position of Commissioner for Children’s Well-Being and Rights.

However, Mr. Dowd felt that the Bill had to be amended. As a result, he made six recommendations with a view to:

• Providing for agreements for the transmission of information and collaboration among the organizations involved in children’s well-being and advocacy, including the Commissioner, the Protecteur du citoyen, the National Student Ombudsman and the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse;
• Postponing the appointment of the Associate Commissioner dedicated to Indigenous Children’s Well-Being and Rights until such time as the consultation process is deemed satisfactory by all parties;
• Indicating that the Commissioner will offer his or her support and full cooperation to the Indigenous Nations wanting their own independent institution to oversee their children’s well-being and rights.

Letter by the Protecteur du citoyen on Bill 37 (PDF, 160 KiB, in French only)