Elimination of Child Advocate and French Language Commissioner’s offices ‘disappointing,’ says union

The Government’s decision to eliminate the independent Ontario Child Advocate and French Language Services Commissioner is an extremely disappointing one, says AMAPCEO, the union that represents professional staff in both offices.

“The Ontario Child Advocate model has been replicated around the world,” said AMAPCEO President Dave Bulmer. “It’s a proven, effective, and efficient one that gives voice to youth in government care or on the margins of government care. And the French Language Services Commissioner protects the rights of Ontario citizens and our province’s Francophone and Francophile communities.”

While the union is disappointed with the government’s decision, it takes some relief in knowing that this work will still be carried out through an independent office of the Legislature, the Ontario Ombudsman.

“This ensures the dedicated staff of the Advocate’s and Commissioner’s offices can continue to fight for justice and fairness for our province’s most vulnerable children and youth, and for Ontario’s Francophone communities.” said AMAPCEO President Dave Bulmer. “Ontarians rely on these agencies and despite these changes our members remain dedicated to providing high quality service.”

The union will work with the Ombudsman’s office and the government to protect its members’ jobs through this transition and to represent them in their new workplaces. 

AMAPCEO has represented employees at the offices of both the Ontario Child Advocate and French Language Services Commissioner since 1992, when the union was founded.

Originally part of the Ministry of Community and Social Services, the Ontario Child Advocate’s office was divested into an independent public sector agency in 2007.

The Office of the French Language Services Commissioner was divested from the Ministry of Francophone Affairs in 2014.