Bob Pringle's term as Saskatchewan's children's advocate won't be renewed

Bob Pringle's five year term as children's advocate is coming to an end. The province has told him his contract will not be renewed.

• Tot's death could have been prevented, Saskatchewan children's advocate says
• Hundreds of children with social services ties died in Sask.

Saskatchewan Party MLA Jeremy Harrison is on the Board of Internal Economy, the body that oversees the appointment of the advocate for children and youth. 

He said the board didn't want to tie the hands of the next legislature.

"The board didn't feel comfortable binding the next assembly being where we are in the election cycle only three months before an election," Harrison said.

He noted the term originally came to an end in Dec. 2015, but it will be extended until Oct. 2016. 

Pringle said he understands the decision, but is still feeling sad and disappointed.

"In the child welfare system we don't really know how well it's functioning. And I think we need to get a handle on that. Otherwise, it's a disservice to the children who are caught up in that system," he said.

Pringle investigated several tragic deaths and issued reports critical of Saskatchewan's foster care system.
He said the government has acted on only about a quarter of his recommendations.

"I can issue all the reports I want," he said. "And the government can say, any government can say, 'Well we've made progress in all those areas. We've endorsed all his recommendations.' But is there real progress?" 

​Pringle will stay on until a replacement is found. He's finishing a special investigation that will be released following this spring's provincial election.