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Important Information About Publication Bans For Children In Care
Section 126.2 of the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act, requires a publication ban of any information that could identify any child receiving services from, or who are under the care of Child and Family Services. Protecting the privacy of these children is essential to ensure they are able to receive the services and supports they need without intrusion or stigmatization from the public.
Generally the ban would include the name of the child, their parent/guardian and any information that would link the child or their parent/guardian to Child and Family Services. Full text of the section from the Act on the publication ban follows this introduction.
This interpretation was upheld in July 2007, when the Court confirmed the importance of the ban stating “the public has a right to be informed of issues concerning the care of children in need of intervention, but this objective must be accomplished without releasing information that serves to identify a given child or his or her guardian.” The presiding judge also added that he accepted the Crown’s position regarding the purpose of the ban including that it should continue, even after a child has died.
There are options for telling the story of a child or youth in care without revealing their identity (e.g. using a pseudonym, etc.). Edmonton and Area Child and Family Services encourages media to discuss these options with our media contacts to ensure the interview remains in parameters with the publication ban.
Read the full Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act and refer to section 126.2(1) for information about the publication ban.
Further information is available on the Human Services website.
