Children’s Commissioner and Advocate to improve the well-being of children and youth

Supporting Island families

Investing in the well-being of children and youth through enhanced community and government collaboration, service navigation and advocacy will allow Island families to reach their full potential.

The Government of Prince Edward Island has named Michele Dorsey, Queen’s Counsel, as the new Children’s Commissioner and Advocate who will improve outcomes of all Island children through the new Office for Children and Youth.

“The new Children’s Commissioner and Advocate and the Office for Children and Youth is a significant cross-governmental undertaking to build a bright, healthy, prosperous future for young Islanders,” said Premier Wade MacLauchlan. “Because of our interconnectedness, Prince Edward Island is in a unique position to make timely and impactful change that will set up Islanders and future generations for success.” 

The Children’s Commissioner and Advocate will serve as the voice of Island children and youth and will lead and coordinate government and community activities to ensure that programs and services for children and their families are responsive, flexible and developmentally centered to include the preservation of their cultural, linguistic and spiritual heritage.

Michele Dorsey, Q.C. was appointed Children's Commissioner and Advocate effective January 7, 2019. Prior to this appointment, Dorsey held deputy minister roles with the Department of Justice and Public Safety and most recently, the Department of Communities, Land and Environment. Dorsey is a certified mediator and a practicing lawyer of 30 years with a primary focus on negotiation and conflict resolution. She also has served on community boards including PEI Citizen's Advocacy, Child Care Facilities Board, PEI Family Violence Prevention, PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada, and the Family Caregivers Advisory Committee of Mental Health Commission of Canada. Her extensive experience and community involvement will provide the necessary leadership to the establishment of the Office for Children and Youth.

The Office for Youth and Children’s responsibilities include:

• Championing the rights of children;
• Ensuring the voice of children and youth are represented in policy and programs;
• Supporting families in navigating programs and services;
• Streamlining and improving government programs and services; and
• Enhancing further collaborations between community and government.

The Children’s Commissioner and Advocate and its office builds upon several government programs such as the Student Well-being teams, mental health walk-in clinics, Strongest Families, PEI Bridge, Triple P Parenting, Grandparent and Care Provider Program. It also responds to recommendations from the PEI Children’s Report, the Child Protection Act Review and the PEI Poverty Reduction Action Plan. 

“I am pleased to see another recommendation of the Poverty Reduction Action Plan come to fruition with the establishment of this office,” said Tina Mundy, Minister of Family and Human Services. “A focused government-community approach to children’s healthy development will support healthier and safer environments for Island families”.

For more information, visit about the Children’s Commissioner and Advocate, visit: Voice for Children.

Media contact:
Vicki Tse
vickitse@gov.pe.ca