Join us June 9 and 10 at the 2026 LRCY Conference!
How can lawyers and advocates better represent the young people they serve? Join the conversation in person June 9 and 10, 2026 in Enoch, Alberta.
Lawyers, legal professionals, academics, students, and other child-serving professionals are invited to join to reflect and develop new plans for practice.
Check back again for updates on our exciting lineup!
We represent the rights, interests and viewpoints of Alberta children and youth who receive intervention services or who are involved with the youth justice system. The Child and Youth Advocate Act provides the mandate for our work with vulnerable young people in Alberta. Advocacy at the OCYA includes a number of activities that are aimed at ensuring the rights, interests and viewpoints of Alberta’s vulnerable children and youth are affirmed and acted upon. These activities include:
Providing education on the rights, interest and viewpoints of children and youth,
Reporting to Alberta’s Legislature on any matter related to the rights, interests and well-being of children and youth involved in designated services,
Communicating on the work of the office, including systemic issues that are affecting vulnerable children and youth,
Engaging with children and youth, their communities and others to collaborate on ways in which to address issues affecting children and youth,
Conducting research related to improving designated services,
Conducting investigations into systemic issues arising from the serious injury to or death of a child or youth receiving designated services,
Advocating on behalf of individual children and youth receiving designated services,
Providing legal representation to children and youth receiving services under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act or the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act.