Meet Your Advocate
Marvin
M. Bernstein, B.A., LL.B., LL.M.
Marvin
Bernstein has been appointed as Saskatchewan’s second Children’s
Advocate. The Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly confirmed Mr.
Bernstein’s appointment in May of 2005, with the effective commencement
date being September 6, 2005.
Mr.
Bernstein has 28 years of advocacy and senior leadership experience in
the child welfare field. He served from 2000 to 2005 as the Director of
Policy Development and Legal Support at the Ontario Association of
Children’s Aid Societies in Toronto. For 20 years previous, he was the
Chief Counsel to the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto. His
professional experience has required an unwavering respect for cultural,
racial, and religious diversity, rooted in a fundamental appreciation of
the dignity of all people.
Mr.
Bernstein has had extensive experience in collaborative work on
children’s issues, both internally with the 52 member societies of the
Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies, and externally with
government departments and professionals from a variety of disciplines
and sectors. His experience in complaint resolution and mediation is
supported by a Master of Laws Degree in Alternative Dispute Resolution
from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto.
Mr.
Bernstein has provided legal representation in child welfare cases at
all court levels and has acted as co-counsel in the Supreme Court of
Canada. He is also a widely published author, having written
extensively in the areas of child welfare, adoption, mediation, corporal
punishment, privacy in the child welfare sector, inquests and social
worker liability.
At the
time of Mr. Bernstein’s appointment, Speaker Myron Kowalsky stated, “The
well-being of children has been the focus of Mr. Bernstein’s career.
His extensive experience in issues affecting children and advocacy on
behalf of children will serve him well in his role as Saskatchewan’s
Children’s Advocate.”
Operating
under the authority of The Ombudsman and Children’s Advocate’s
Act, the Children’s Advocate is an independent statutory officer of
the Legislative Assembly. He also acts as a voice for children and youth
and is committed to ensuring that the interests and well-being of
Saskatchewan children and youth are respected and valued in the
community, and in provincial government legislation, policy and
practice.
