C-32.1.01 - Act respecting the Commissioner for Children’s Well-Being and Rights

Section 5 Disposition versions

Not in force

Not in force

5. The functions of the Commissioner are to promote the well-being of children and respect for their rights as well as to see to the protection of the interest of the child.

For those purposes, the Commissioner must, in particular,

(1)  implement, including by collaborating with community organizations involved in youth-related matters, means to gather the concerns and opinions of children, in particular with regard to societal issues;

(2)  analyze the state of well-being of children in Québec and, each year, draw up an overview of that state;

(3)  analyze the impacts of government policies on children’s well-being;

(4)  inform the public about the Commissioner’s role, the principles and provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child as well as about children’s well-being and rights, and raise awareness on those matters, in particular through information and educational programs;

(5)  support children in the exercise of their rights by directing them to the appropriate resources and assisting them in their efforts where necessary;

(6)  assess the implementation of programs and the provision of services that are intended for children and are under the responsibility of public bodies;

(7)  monitor all child deaths as well as all deaths of persons at least 18 years of age and not more than 25 years of age for which an investigation or an inquest has been conducted under the Coroners Act (chapter C-68.01);

(8)  form a national advisory committee and regional advisory committees composed, as much as possible, of children and young adults who are representative of the diversity of Québec society to obtain their opinions at least once a year on any question concerning a matter within the scope of the Commissioner’s functions, and see to the operation of the committees;

(9)  where the Commissioner considers it necessary or on request from the National Assembly, the Government or any minister, provide them with opinions and recommendations the Commissioner considers appropriate on any question concerning a matter within the scope of the Commissioner’s functions; and

(10)  where the Commissioner considers it necessary, provide a public body with opinions and recommendations the Commissioner considers appropriate on any question concerning a matter within the scope of the Commissioner’s functions.

The Commissioner also exercises, with regard to young adults, the functions set out in subparagraphs 3 to 6 of the second paragraph.

For the purposes of this Act,

“child” means a person under 18 years of age;

“public body” means a government department as well as a body referred to in any of sections 4 to 7 of the Act respecting Access to documents held by public bodies and the Protection of personal information (chapter A-2.1);

“young adult” means a person at least 18 years of age and not more than 25 years of age in a vulnerable situation, including a person whose situation has already been taken in charge by the director of youth protection or who has already been the subject of a custody or supervision measure under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (S.C. 2002, c. 1).

2024, c. 20, s. 5.