About Us
The Office of the New Brunswick Advocate is dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights and interests of children, youth, vulnerable adults, and older adults.
Meet the Advocate
ADVOCATE
Kelly Lamrock
Kelly Lamrock has been the New Brunswick Advocate since February 7, 2022. He is a long-time Fredericton resident who has a background in law and education, having served as a lawyer, politician, policy director, and educator. He served as an MLA, held multiple ministerial roles in New Brunswick, chaired the Council of Ministers of Education, and worked internationally in education and democratic development. Following politics, he ran a legal practice and contributed to various community organizations. He’s also active in theater, stand-up comedy, and sports coaching.
Our Team
Led by the Advocate, our team includes specialists in individual advocacy, public relations, legal affairs, investigations, government relations, and community outreach. With dedicated professionals in research, policy, and advocacy, we work to advance systemic change while providing direct support to individuals.
Our work is centered around three key areas:
Individual Case Advocacy: Our team of 12 Individual Case Specialists provides direct advocacy and support to individuals, ensuring their rights and needs are recognized and addressed.
Systemic Reports and Reviews: Through research, reviews, investigations, and public reporting, we analyze systemic issues and make recommendations to improve laws, policies, and services.
Public Relations, Education, and Community Outreach: We engage with communities, service providers, and government to promote awareness of rights and best practices in advocacy.
Ways We Help
Quick Resolution
Many requests can be resolved by providing information, support, and guidance to empower individuals to self-advocate, or other short-term interventions to address issues and barriers.
Complex Advocacy
Complex advocacy cases arise when issues span multiple systems or resources are lacking. These cases may require in-depth examination of facts, questions to authorities, review of practices, policies, or laws, mediation, case conferences, or formal recommendations.
Sometimes when people call us for support, it's because they don’t know how to address a problem they are facing. They may not know their options, who to talk to, or what steps to take.
Individual Advocacy at our office falls into two categories.
Our Mandate
The New Brunswick Advocate ensures that the rights of children, youth, vulnerable adults, and older adults are understood, protected, and promoted. We are independent of any department of the New Brunswick Government and operate under the authority of the Child, Youth, and Senior Advocate Act.
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2024
2024
Unified Brand
We’ve launched a new logo and website, uniting the Child, Youth, and Seniors’ mandates under one brand.
2024
Unified Brand
We’ve launched a new logo and website, uniting the Child, Youth, and Seniors’ mandates under one brand.
2021
2021
New Advocate
Kelly Lamrock was appointed as the new Child, Youth & Seniors’ Advocate, bringing a renewed focus to the role.
2021
New Advocate
Kelly Lamrock was appointed as the new Child, Youth & Seniors’ Advocate, bringing a renewed focus to the role.
2018 - 2019
2018 - 2019
Branding
A fresh new logo and website were launched for the Seniors’ Advocate Office.
2018 - 2019
Branding
A fresh new logo and website were launched for the Seniors’ Advocate Office.
2016
2016
Expanded Act
The Act was expanded to become the Child, Youth & Seniors Advocate Act, giving the office a new mandate to serve a wider community.
2016
Expanded Act
The Act was expanded to become the Child, Youth & Seniors Advocate Act, giving the office a new mandate to serve a wider community.
2013
2013
Second Advocate
Norman Bossé was appointed as the new Child and Youth Advocate.
2013
Second Advocate
Norman Bossé was appointed as the new Child and Youth Advocate.
2012
2012
Independent Office
The Child and Youth Advocate became an independent office, separate from the Ombud.
2012
Independent Office
The Child and Youth Advocate became an independent office, separate from the Ombud.
2007
2007
New Legislation
New legislation came into effect: the Child and Youth Advocate Act.
2007
New Legislation
New legislation came into effect: the Child and Youth Advocate Act.
2006
2006
The First Advocate
The Child and Youth Advocate legislation was introduced, and Ombud NB took on responsibility for this important role. Bernard Richard became New Brunswick’s first Child and Youth Advocate.
2006
The First Advocate
The Child and Youth Advocate legislation was introduced, and Ombud NB took on responsibility for this important role. Bernard Richard became New Brunswick’s first Child and Youth Advocate.