British Columbia. Superintendent of Neglected Children

Government

British Columbia. Superintendent of Neglected Children

• Superintendent of Neglected Children

1919-

In 1897 the British Columbia legislature adopted the "Guardian's Appointment Act" (61 Vict., c. 96) relating to the custody and care of infants. Further, in 1901, the legislature passed the "Children's Protection Act" (1 Ed. 7, c. 9) providing for the incorporation of Children's Aid Societies and for the appointment of a Superintendent. The Provincial Secretary was charged with the administration of this statute and "An Act to Regulate Maternity Boarding Houses, and for the Protection of Infant Children", passed in the same year (1 Ed. 7, c. 29). This latter act required the registration of houses for reception of infants as well as the registration of every infant in the care of such institutions. In 1911 the "Infants Act" was passed consolidating and amending legislation relating to infants (2 Geo. 5, c. 107). In 1918 the "Infants Act" was amended to provide for a Superintendent of Neglected Children who would, among other duties, make annual reports to the Attorney General. Administration of the Act was transferred from the Provincial Secretary to the Attorney General by section 14 of the Act (8 Geo. 5, c. 36) and the Superintendent's first Annual Report was submitted on 30 November 1920.

First appointed to administer the Infants Act in 1919 and the Mothers' Pensions Act in 1920, the Superintendent was responsible for a brief period to the Attorney-General. In 1923 the administration of the Infants Act was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Provincial Secretary. Mothers' Pensions Act was transferred to the Workmen's Compensation Board.

C Government Name

Revised PW/KH 2017-01-31

Legislative Library of British Columbia
Cf. Publications of the Government of British Columbia, 1871-1947 / Marjorie C. Holmes. p. 81 [from catalog, Legislative Library of British Columbia].