Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta is proposing changes to its child protection system that would place greater emphasis on keeping vulnerable children connected to their families and communities while strengthening safeguards against online sexual exploitation.
Bill 36, the Supporting Alberta Families Statutes Amendment Act, 2026, aims to improve child intervention services, give families and caregivers a greater role in decisions affecting children, and make it easier to secure stable long-term placements.
The proposed legislation would amend the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act to give priority to placing children with relatives or trusted family friends. It would also introduce changes to the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act to address emerging forms of online abuse and exploitation.
Children and Family Services Minister Searle Turton said maintaining connections with family and community can have a lasting impact on children who require intervention services. He said the proposed measures would recognize the contribution of kinship caregivers and give families a stronger voice in care planning.
Relatives and trusted friends to receive placement priority
Under the proposed amendments to the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act (CYFEA), children entering the intervention system would be prioritized for placement with close relatives or trusted family friends within their communities.
The changes draw on recommendations from an expert review committee and clinical best practices, with the stated objective of providing children with greater stability and preserving important family relationships.
The bill would also formally recognize openness agreements, allowing adopted children to maintain connections with their birth families, previous caregivers and Indigenous communities. Adult adoptees and mature minors would also have an easier process for accessing their personal records.
Jeannette MacInnis, CEO of the Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association, said kinship care helps children remain connected to their cultural identity, family traditions, language and community roots. She emphasized the importance of keeping Indigenous children close to their families and communities.
Greater participation for children and caregivers
Bill 36 would also strengthen the involvement of children, families and caregivers in decisions about care arrangements.
Foster and kinship caregivers would be included in care planning, while eligible caregivers would receive court notifications and rights to participate in relevant proceedings. The legislation also aims to simplify the process of securing permanent placements by removing unnecessary court appearances and reducing uncertainty for families.
The proposed changes are based on the work of the CYFEA review committee, which brought together representatives of Indigenous communities, guardians, caregivers, service providers and MLAs from all caucuses.
Jackie Lovely, chair of the review committee, said the collaborative process allowed community leaders and experts to contribute their experience and recommendations to address challenges affecting Alberta’s children and young people.
Wider definition of online child exploitation
The legislation would also expand the definition of child sexual exploitation under the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act.
The revised definition would cover technology-facilitated harms, including online grooming, cyber luring, trafficking and digital harassment. The changes are intended to help child protection professionals identify risks earlier, intervene when children are being targeted and connect them with appropriate treatment and support.
Dr. Wanda Polzin Holman, CEO of Little Warriors, said the updated definition recognizes the changing ways children and youth can be targeted through technology, alongside exploitation occurring in person.
She said the changes would help those responsible for child protection better identify evolving forms of abuse and understand the harm experienced by young people.
Updates to family violence and education laws
Bill 36 would also make amendments to the Protection Against Family Violence Act to bring the legislation in line with current policies and practices.
The proposed revisions follow the completion of work by the Family Violence Death Review Committee, which was dissolved on December 31, 2025. The government said related work is now being advanced through other initiatives, while reducing duplication would allow resources to be directed towards front-line services for victims of family violence.
In addition, the Education Act would be updated to ensure foster and kinship caregivers are recognized consistently across legislation.
The proposed measures collectively seek to strengthen child intervention practices, preserve family and cultural connections, and improve protections for children facing exploitation. The changes would take effect through Bill 36 if the legislation is passed.
