On the occasion of the National Children's Day, Norman Bosse, New Brunswick's Child and Youth Advocate, will publicly unveil the State of the Child 2020 Report, which this year focuses on the protection of children's rights in times of pandemic. 

Issues related to VIDOC-19 are central to the Report's focus because although children are not as susceptible to the devastating effects of the virus as other members of the community, they will live with its impacts the longest. It is therefore critical that community responses to health emergencies take into account these impacts on children. 

In addition, all children's rights are affected by the impacts of this pandemic at different levels. That is why it is also essential to maintain the government's focus on our obligations to children. A rights-based analysis is indeed a powerful tool to develop policies and programs that take into account the interests and well-being of children and youth. 

It is on these key points that Norman Bosse will speak of in his State of the Child speech, live from the press conference offered on November 20th as part of the International Summer School on the Rights of the Child. 

Schedule: Friday, November 20 from 11 to 11:55 AM (Atlantic Standard Time)

Delivery Method: Remotely, by virtual room

Cost: Free

Speaker : Norman Bossé, Q. C.

Norman J. Bossé, Q.C. was appointed Child and Youth Advocate for New Brunswick on June 14, 2013. On July 1st, 2017, his responsibilities were expanded to include seniors and adults under protection as the first NB Seniors’ Advocate. Mr. Bossé has had an extensive legal career with nearly 30 years as a practicing lawyer with law firms Clark Drummie and McInnes Cooper. He became a partner with Clark Drummie in 1995 and with McInnes Cooper subsequent to the firms’ 2010 merger. In 2008, he was appointed as Queen’s Counsel. In 1993-94, Mr. Bossé served as counsel to the victims of abuse during the Miller Inquiry, which dealt with abuse at the Kingsclear Youth Training Center. He is a member of the Canadian Bar Association and Law Society of New Brunswick, where he served as Chairperson of the Complaints Committee from 2005 to 2013. Mr. Bossé has also served as an Honourary Solicitor and President of the New Brunswick Division of the Canadian Cancer Society, and as a member of the National Board of Directors of the Canadian Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute. He was awarded an Honorary Life Membership from the Canadian Cancer Society in 2001. Prior to his legal career, Mr. Bossé taught junior high school in Sussex, New Brunswick. He holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New Brunswick, and Bachelors of Arts and Education from St. Thomas University. Mr. Bossé is also certified as a mediator by the Lex Mundi College of Mediation and holds a Certificate of Achievement in Advanced Dispute Resolution from the Faculty of Law at the University of Windsor. An avid musician and sports enthusiast, Mr. Bossé and his wife, Moira, reside in Saint John, and have four children and eleven grandchildren.