New Brunswick's legislative committee resumed hearings Thursday into the failures of the province's youth social services system, with child and youth advocate Kelly Lamrock expected to provide key testimony. The hearings, which began earlier this week, are examining systemic issues that have left vulnerable children and families without adequate support.
Background of the Hearings
The hearings were prompted by a series of reports and public outcry over the province's handling of youth in care. According to the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate, there have been multiple instances where the system failed to protect children, leading to harm and, in some cases, death. The committee is tasked with identifying the root causes of these failures and recommending reforms.
Lamrock, who has been a vocal critic of the system, is expected to present evidence on the lack of resources, poor oversight, and inadequate training for social workers. In a previous news conference on May 28, 2026, he stated that "the system is in crisis and requires immediate intervention."
Key Issues Under Scrutiny
Among the issues being examined are high caseloads for social workers, insufficient funding for preventive services, and a lack of coordination between government departments. The committee is also looking into allegations that some children were placed in unsafe environments due to failures in background checks and monitoring.
According to a report released by the advocate's office in 2025, over 40% of youth in care experienced at least one placement breakdown within a year, leading to instability and trauma. The report also found that many children were not receiving timely mental health support.
Witness Testimony
Several former social workers and youth who have experienced the system firsthand are scheduled to testify. One former social worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the committee that "we were set up to fail" due to overwhelming workloads and lack of support from management. Another witness, a young adult who spent years in foster care, described feeling "invisible" and "abandoned" by the system.
The hearings are expected to continue for several weeks, with a final report due by the end of the year. The committee has also invited input from experts in child welfare and advocacy groups.
Political Response
Premier Mark Carney's government has pledged to act on the committee's recommendations. In a statement, Social Development Minister Jill Green said that "we are committed to ensuring that every child in New Brunswick receives the care and protection they deserve." However, opposition critics have accused the government of moving too slowly, noting that similar hearings were held in 2022 but few reforms were implemented.
The hearings come amid broader scrutiny of child welfare systems across Canada, with several provinces facing class-action lawsuits and independent reviews. In New Brunswick, the number of children in care has risen by 15% over the past five years, straining an already overburdened system.
