Majority of young people who recently died while receiving government care were Indigenous: annual report
Alberta's child and youth advocate is pointing to two trends among recent deaths of young people in the province's care: the majority were Indigenous and drug poisoning was a frequent cause of death.
Between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate was notified about the deaths of 68 young people and serious injury of 15 others.
It investigated 47 deaths and one injury in that time period. Of these, 12 of the young people were still in care and 36 were either still receiving child intervention services or had within the previous two years.
The data was released Tuesday by the province's child and youth advocate and will be used to make recommendations to the government to improve outcomes of people in care.
"It distresses me," advocate Terri Pelton said.
"It does seem to be reaching a crisis. It's a staggering amount of sadness and trauma and young people who've passed away."
In each death – or in the single case of a young person being seriously injured – investigators compiled information about the services and supports the minor was receiving. The office also looks for trends or themes on an annual basis.
In her newest report, Pelton noted 35 of the 47 young people who died – 73 per cent – were Indigenous.
"What we've noted and what I've heard, and what I believe, is that young people do better when they're connected to their culture and their community, when they have a sense of identity and belonging, the young people that we've been hearing about or that we've been reviewing, haven't been connected to who they are in a meaningful way, many times. And so if we can increase the supports for Indigenous young people to be connected, I think we'll see better outcomes."
Indigenous young people account for a disproportionate amount of people either under the care of the government or receiving child intervention services in Alberta. Despite making up about 10 per cent of Alberta's young population, as of December, more than 70 per cent of the 9,080 children and youth receiving child intervention services or in the government's care were Indigenous.
Drugs another trend
Pelton also drew attention to the frequent involvement of drugs in the deaths reviewed over the past 12 months.
In 20 deaths, the manner of death was ruled accidental, including 10 deaths involving drugs or alcohol.
"It's deeply concerning to see children as young as 12 using substances, and sadly, we've seen even younger in the past," Pelton said. "When children and families are struggling, it's crucial they receive early support and care so we can reduce the number of lives lost to this crisis."
Eight deaths were considered medical events, six were suicide, and three were instances of violence.
In some cases, the manner of death was undetermined or still being investigated.
Pelton's recommendations to the government are expected to be released in the fall.
"My heart breaks alongside these families, I'm a parent as well," said Searle Turton, minister of children and family services. "And I look forward to getting those OCYA recommendations because I know that they come from a great place in terms of improving the system and I take it extremely seriously."
The total number of young people who died between April 2023 and March 2024 – 68 – is a decrease of 13 when compared to the year prior when 81 people died either while in the province’s care or within two years of receiving services.
The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate is an independent office of the Alberta legislature.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Kyra Markov
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Canada expands list of banned firearms to include hundreds of new models and variants
The Canadian government is expanding its list of banned firearms, adding hundreds of additional makes, models and their variants, effective immediately.
LIVE UPDATES Anger, vitriol against health insurers filled social media in the wake of UnitedHealthcare CEO's killing
The masked gunman who stalked and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson used ammunition emblazoned with the words 'deny,' 'defend' and 'depose,' a law enforcement official said Thursday. Here's the latest.
Man wanted for military desertion turns himself in at Canada-U.S. border
A man wanted for deserting the U.S. military 16 years ago was arrested at the border in Buffalo, N.Y. earlier this week.
Life expectancy in Canada: Up last year, still down compared to pre-pandemic
The average Canadian can expect to live 81.7 years, according to new death data from Statistics Canada. That’s higher than the previous year, but still lower than pre-pandemic levels.
'At the dawn of a third nuclear age,' senior U.K. commander warns
The head of Britain’s armed forces has warned that the world stands at the cusp of a 'third nuclear age,' defined by multiple simultaneous challenges and weakened safeguards that kept previous threats in check.
These foods will be hit hardest by inflation in 2025, according to AI modelling
The new year won’t bring a resolution to rising food costs, according to a new report that predicts prices to rise as much as five per cent in 2025.
Pete Davidson, Jason Sudeikis and other former 'SNL' cast members reveal how little they got paid
Live from New York, it’s revelations about paydays on 'Saturday Night Live.'
The National Weather Service cancels tsunami warning for the U.S. West Coast after 7.0 earthquake
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake shook a large area of Northern California on Thursday, knocking items of grocery store shelves, sending children scrambling under desks and prompting a brief tsunami warning for 5.3 million people along the U.S. West Coast.
Alleged Alberta Bitcoin extortionist, arsonist arrested
Authorities have arrested Finbar Hughes, a man wanted in connection with alleged plots in Calgary and Edmonton that threatened to burn victims' homes if they did not pay him Bitcoin ransoms.