Law360 Canada (June 9, 2026, 3:13 PM EDT) -- Newfoundland and Labrador has passed legislation giving its seniors’ advocate the powers of “individual advocacy and investigation.”

According to a June 5 news release, the move aligns the role of the province’s seniors’ advocate with that of “similar statutory officers,” such as the citizens’ representative and the child and youth advocate.

The new powers will also give the seniors’ advocate the power “to compel information from and interview individuals.”

The new powers are being granted via recently passed amendments to the province’s Seniors’ Advocate Act.

“The Act is currently limited in that it only allowed the seniors’ advocate to review and make recommendations on systemic issues affecting seniors,” states the release. “The seniors’ advocate and the Final Report of the Structural Review of the Statutory Offices of the House of Assembly recommended that the advocate be given full investigatory powers for both systemic and individual advocacy.”

The release goes on to note that the changes “will give the seniors’ advocate more tools to directly help seniors in the province.”

“The advocate will be able to investigate individual problems, advocate for individuals, obtain details (with permission), and help seniors deal with complicated systems so that issues can be resolved more quickly and effectively.”

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Office of the Seniors’ Advocate is currently “reviewing its operational model” in preparation for the amendments coming into force, states the release. With that, it will be adding staff to support its “expanded mandate.”

The amendments reflect a commitment “to strengthening supports for seniors and ensuring their voices are heard,” said Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Seniors Craig Pardy.

“We are better positioning the advocate’s office to identify issues, drive meaningful improvements, and serve seniors with the dignity and respect they deserve,” said Pardy in a statement. “Our goal with these changes has been simple: to make sure every senior in Newfoundland and Labrador has access to a system that listens, responds and acts in their best interests.”

The province’s current seniors’ advocate is Pamela Dawe. On the advocate’s website, her office is described as “an independent office of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Other Canadian jurisdictions with seniors’ advocates include British Columbia, Manitoba and New Brunswick.

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