First Child Death Review Committee Report Released

The Province released the first annual report of the Child Death Review Committee today, September 19. It provides insight into the causes and circumstances of child and youth deaths and offers recommendations to help prevent future tragedies.

The committee reviewed 911 deaths of Nova Scotians under the age of 25 that occurred between 2009 and 2023. The report identifies key trends and contributing factors, including sudden infant death syndrome, suicide and motor vehicle crashes.

“This report represents the loss of children, siblings and friends. Our thoughts are with the families and communities who continue to carry that loss,” said Attorney General and Minister of Justice Becky Druhan. “By learning from these tragedies, we can take meaningful steps to protect children and reduce preventable deaths.”

Recommendations include:

• sharing findings with community organizations to inform programs and supports
• strengthening road safety efforts, including all-terrain vehicle safety
• establishing water safety programs for new Canadians
• enhancing collaboration on suicide and homicide prevention among high-risk groups.

The Child Death Review Committee was established under amendments to the Fatality Investigations Act in 2021. Its mandate is to analyze deaths, identify trends and provide recommendations for system improvements.

Quotes:

“Until now, the Medical Examiner Service has focused on the investigation of deaths. Because of the death review committee, we can now make recommendations that will save lives in the future.”
— Dr. Matthew Bowes, Chief Medical Examiner and committee co-Chair

“While deaths among children, youth and young adults are uncommon, many of these are preventable. This report is about turning evidence into action across government and in communities, to help keep young Nova Scotians safer.”
— Dr. Robert Strang, Chief Medical Officer of Health and committee co-Chair

The Child Death Review Committee annual report is available at: https://novascotia.ca/just/publications/docs/cdrc-annual-report-2024-2025.pdf

Quick Facts:

• the Child Death Review Committee was established in 2021 alongside the Domestic Violence Death Review Committee; a committee to review deaths in custody was added in 2023
• the Committee is required to submit annual reports to the Minister of Justice and to make recommendations public
• names and other identifying information are not included in the reports