Children and Youth Advocate Bob Pringle. Photo by Chelsea Laskowski
Saskatchewan’s advocate for children and youth says he has lost the confidence of the legislature, and that is why he is not being reappointed to another five-year term.
Pringle has agreed to stay on for another 10 months while a replacement is found.
He has also been told by the legislative committee that appointed him, that he can reapply for the job after next April’s provincial election, something he says he will not be doing.
“You know what, I’m trying not to be offended by that, but it is hard,” he said. “You know, I have put my heart and soul into this job for five years, as has my staff.”
Pringle says his work is not done yet. He has three more reports he will bring out over the next ten months, and there will be more recommendations aimed at reducing the inequities facing children, particularly aboriginal children.
“Then I can leave the job with my head held high and wish the new person well,” he said. “Obviously I am upset and disappointed about it. It’s taken five years to be where we kind of want to be.”
Pringle was appointed by the Board of Internal Economy, an all-party legislative committee. Board member Jeremy Harrison says the board did not want to tie the hands of a future government and that is why it did not make another five-year appointment.
He says it had nothing to do with any critical reports that have been issued by Pringle during his time as children’s advocate. He says, that’s Pringle’s job.