New Brunswick to hold hearings on failures of child welfare system after teen's death

The New Brunswick flag flies in a row of flags beside the legislative assembly Building, home of the provincial parliament, in Fredericton, Saturday, July 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini

FREDERICTON — New Brunswick legislators have agreed to hold hearings on systemic failures within the province’s child welfare system.

The hearings are in response to a report from the youth advocate that severely criticized the Social Development Department in the overdose death of a teenager.

Kelly Lamrock, the advocate, said the 16-year-old’s death last year could have been prevented had the system acted with more humanity.

Members unanimously approved the Liberal motion to direct the legislature’s social policy committee to hold hearings within 30 days on the youth protection system.

Social Development Minister Cindy Miles says she accepted all the recommendations in Lamrock’s report.

Glen Savoie, the Progressive Conservative leader, says he backs the effort but hopes the government will allow the opposition to call witnesses.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2026.

Eli Ridder, The Canadian Press