16 (1) In carrying out the functions of the Advocate under subsection 15 (1), the Advocate may, (a) receive and respond to complaints; (b) conduct reviews, whether in response to a complaint or on the Advocate’s own initiative; (c) represent the views and preferences of children and youth to agencies and to service providers; (d) use informal methods to resolve disputes between children or youth and agencies and service providers; (e) make reports as to the result of the Advocate’s review to the complainant, subject to section 20; (f) provide advice and make recommendations to entities, including governments, ministers, agencies and service providers responsible for services, (i) under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, or (ii) that are provided for in the regulations; (g) educate children in care, their families and staff of agencies and service providers about the rights of children in care under Part II of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017; (h) communicate with children in care regarding complaints; (i) provide advocacy to, but not represent as legal counsel or agent, children in care who are appearing before a court or tribunal, or who are appearing before a body or person that is reviewing their care, custody or detention disposition; (j) provide advocacy to children in care regarding complaints made with respect to rights under Part II of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017; (k) receive and respond to complaints from children who are pupils of schools established or continued under section 13 of the Education Act and use informal methods to resolve those complaints; (l) receive and respond to complaints from children and youth with respect to matters that arise while held in court holding cells and transported to and from court holding cells; (m) meet with children who have undergone emergency admission to a secure treatment program under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 to explain, in language suitable to their understanding, the children’s right to a review of the admission; (n) where an investigative authority is conducting an investigation that involves a child in care, provide advocacy to the child or youth that does not interfere with the investigation; (o) provide information to children and youth and their families on how to access services described in clause 15 (1) (a); (p) engage in systemic reviews on behalf of children and youth; (q) provide public education about this Act and the role of the Advocate; and (r) perform other powers and duties provided for in the regulations.  2007, c. 9, s. 16 (1); 2009, c. 2, s. 30; 2014, c. 13, Sched. 10, s. 8 (1); 2017, c. 14, Sched. 4, s. 31 (7); 2017, c. 34, Sched. 12, s. 13 (2). Restriction on acting as counsel (2) The Advocate shall not represent a child or youth before a court or tribunal.  2007, c. 9, s. 16 (2). Restriction on advocacy (3) Except in relation to the Advocate’s investigative function under subsection 15 (2), nothing in this Act permits the Advocate to summon and enforce the attendance of witnesses, to compel testimony under oath or to compel witnesses to produce records or things.  2007, c. 9, s. 16 (3); 2014, c. 13, Sched. 10, s. 8 (2). Power not to act on complaint (4) The Advocate may, in his or her discretion, decide not to take any action based on a complaint if the Advocate is of the opinion that, (a) the subject matter of the complaint is trivial; (b) the complaint is frivolous or vexatious; or (c) the complaint is not made in good faith.  2007, c. 9, s. 16 (4). Power not to investigate a matter (4.1) The Advocate may in his or her discretion decide not to investigate, or, as the case may require, not to further investigate any matter if in his or her opinion, one of the following applies: 1. It appears to the Advocate that under the law or existing administrative practice there is an adequate remedy in respect of the matter, whether or not the person raising the matter has availed himself, herself, or itself of it. 2. The person who raised the matter with the Advocate has not a sufficient personal interest in the subject matter that was raised. 3. The matter is trivial, frivolous or vexatious or is not raised in good faith. 4. A child who is the subject of or affected by the matter indicates that he or she does not want the matter to be pursued. 2014, c. 13, Sched. 10, s. 8 (3). Reasons to be given (5) The Advocate shall give the complainant or the person who raised an investigation matter with the Advocate notice in writing of the Advocate’s decision and of the reasons for the decision, where the Advocate decides, (a) not to act on a complaint under subsection 16 (1) or to take no further action with regard to a complaint; or (b) not to investigate a matter under section 16.1 or further investigate the matter. 2014, c. 13, Sched. 10, s. 8 (4). Special requirements or needs (6) In the course of carrying out his or her functions, the Advocate shall provide advocacy that is sensitive to any special requirements or needs of the child or youth.  2007, c. 9, s. 16 (6). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2009, c. 2, s. 30 - 01/04/2009 2014, c. 13, Sched. 10, s. 8 (1-4) - 01/03/2016 2017, c. 14, Sched. 4, s. 31 (7) - 30/04/2018; 2017, c. 34, Sched. 12, s. 13 (2) - 14/12/2017