VICTORIA - A former Saskatchewan judge who's often been a thorn in the side of the B.C. government over child welfare issues has been given a second five-year term as B.C.'s child watchdog.
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond was reappointed Tuesday as the Representative for Children and Youth after a unanimous recommendation from a special legislative committee.
Committee chair and Liberal MLA Colin Hansen says Turpel-Lafond has done an outstanding job in defining the job and helping children and families.
Turpel-Lafond has often blasted the B.C. government for failing to hand over files or follow through on recommendations to prevent the death and injury of children in government care.
Just last month she said a $6 million court award for children who were abused for years by their parents was a clear message that improvements are needed in B.C.'s child welfare system.
Turpel-Lafond was first appointed as children's representative in 2006.
