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REGINA — Saskatchewan’s Opposition is calling on the provincial government to appoint an Indigenous children’s advocate.

NDP deputy leader Carla Beck says there must be an immediate change to ensure vulnerable children can be kept in their homes. The New Democrats also want a review of child-welfare legislation.

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“This is an issue that with the status quo, with promises by the government but not backing them up, is getting worse,” Beck said Wednesday. “We are seeing a higher percentage of kids in care and we are seeing the overall numbers increasing.”

The number of children in out-of-home care in Saskatchewan was 5,257 at the end of March.

The government says that figure represents all children in the province’s care, including kids who are in the care of extended family or who are seized off-reserve and then transferred to a First Nations child and family services agency.

Beck says the creation of an Indigenous children’s advocate is supported by Saskatchewan’s children’s advocate and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations.