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Who We Are

The Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth (MACY) is an independent office of the Manitoba legislature. That means we are outside the government and are not a part of any government department. The Manitoba Advocate is empowered by legislation to support and advise children, youth, and young adults of their rights and the services which should be available to them.

MACY also has the responsibilities to conduct child-centred research, investigate the serious injuries and deaths of young people, to issue formal recommendations to improve public services, to monitor and report on compliance regarding the implementation of recommendations made by the Manitoba Advocate.

The Manitoba Advocate leads a team who represents the rights, interests, and viewpoints of children, youth, young adults, and their families who are receiving, or are entitled to receive, services in the areas of:

  • Child welfare
  • Adoption
  • Disabilities
  • Mental Health
  • Addiction
  • Youth Justice
  • Education
  • Victim Support (including domestic violence and sexual exploitation)

MACY does this through direct advocacy, investigations, research, special reports, formal recommendations, and compliance monitoring with recommended changes.

Have a look at our 2019-2020 Strategic Plan here (PDF) (page 64) and our 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 Service Plans here (PDF) (page 90). 

MISSION

We work to improve the lives of young people by supporting, advocating, and empowering them so their rights are upheld and their voices are heard.

VISION

A Manitoba where child and youth-serving systems work collaboratively to ensure children and youth’s rights are honoured, respected, protected, and fulfilled.

VALUES

  • Child-centred advocacy
  • Collaboration
  • Accountability
  • Relationality
  • Integrity
  • Social justice

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

  • We respect the dignity of children and youth and their right to be heard.
  • We work for equity for all children and youth and for a system that is responsive to meeting the needs of young adults, and their families.
  • We support the community’s collective responsibility for providing resources and services to young adults, and their families.
  • We know that community outreach is an ongoing process.
  • The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child serves as a cornerstone for our activities and efforts.

Our mandate is defined by The Advocate for Children and Youth Act and Regulation(PDF).