The Manitoba government is introducing a new Advocate for Child and Youth Act on March 15th.

Manitoba Children's Advocate Daphne Penrose explains what some of the new legislation aims to do, moving beyond the Child and Family Services (CFS) system.

"Under the new mandate, the capacity for us to begin to advocate for children and family broadens significantly," says Penrose. "If a family is trying to, or is entitled to receive services in the areas of disability, education, mental health, victim support services, domestic violence, sexual exploitation, youth criminal justice or a child transitioning out of care...all of those families and children are eligible to call our office to receive advocacy services if they're having trouble navigating through the government system or not receiving the services they're entitled to."

Penrose notes the new mandate also includes updating previous legislation.

"We now will be looking into the deaths of children as we always have, but we'll also be looking into the deaths of adults who had been receiving services within one year of their death, if they are receiving supports beyond termination of guardianship," Penrose says.

Penrose adds the advocate will also be responsible for tracking recommendations, required to report and document and monitor compliance with recommendations made by her office, as well as public education and the United Nations charter on the convention on the rights of the child, and to do Manitoba based research.

Penrose says they're excited to have the piece of legislation proclaimed, and adds it was part of the Phoenix Sinclair inquiry that commissioner Ted Hughes made.

The act will include other phases to be rolled out at a later date, which will look at the ability to review and investigate serious inuries and deaths that occur outside the CFS system, with those involved in mental health, addictions or youth justice organizations.