Mike Connolly, who recently retired from Olympic College as vice president of administrative services after 30 years, stands in front of the facilities services building named after him. It’s the first OC building to ever be named after a staff member. - Photo by Kassie Korich
Photo by Kassie Korich
Mike Connolly, who recently retired from Olympic College as vice president of administrative services after 30 years, stands in front of the facilities services building named after him. It’s the first OC building to ever be named after a staff member.

Child officer steps down


July 4, 2008 · Updated 12:13 PM 

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Jane Morley ends her term as the province’s Child and Youth Officer effective Jan. 1, making way for the newly appointed independent representative to take over on an acting basis.

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, a Saskatchewan provincial court judge, was appointed to the new role in November, with unanimous support from the B.C. Liberal and NDP MLAs. The new position was created on the recommendation of former judge Ted Hughes, who was called in to do an independent investigation of the province’s child protection system.

Hughes criticized the government for imposing budget cuts and major restructuring on the Ministry of Children and Family Development, and replacing an independent children’s commissioner with the Child and Youth Officer, who reports to the Attorney General.

Turpel-Lafond will serve in the existing office until regulations and budget for the new independent office are in place in the new year.

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