Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children

Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children: Promoting children’s rights in Canada

The Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children (CCRC)  is a non-profit, voluntary organization dedicated to the full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Canada and around the world.

  • To find out more, check out our resources.
  • To see what’s happening, check the news section.
  • To learn how well Canada is doing, check the monitoring section.
  • To get involved, find out how to become a member, join working committees or contact us.

“The children have rights; the adults have rights; shouldn’t our rights be noticed as much as yours?”
16 year old in Nova Scotia

Canada’s Third Report on Children’s Rights: Plans for CCRC Response

Canada submitted its Third Report on implementation of the Convention on November 20, 2009.   Check out the monitoring page for more information and CCRC plans to respond to it.

Best Interests Report

Best Interests of the Child is a central principle in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. What does it mean? How does it apply in Canada?

This report reflects on how this principle has been used, misused, and under-used in ways that deeply affect children. More importantly, it proposes a rights-based approach for application in a wide variety of areas.

The 20th Anniversary of the Convention this year is a time for all Canadians to reflect on how well we are living up to our commitment to act in the best interests of children.

Full Report in English |  Full Report in French

Recent News

  • Children's Commissioner for CanadaThe CCRC welcomes the introduction of a private member's bill by MP Marc Garneau to establish a Children's Commissioner for Canada.
  • Complaints Procedure One Step CloserCCRC welcomes the establishment of a Working Group to explore the option of developing a complaints mechanism under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
  • Khadr: Justice Denied AgainThe federal government again refused to comply with a court ruling to protect the rights of Omar Khadr. The CCRC continues to call for his return to Canada and treatment under the international law for child soldiers that Canada was the first country to ratify.
  • New Mechanisms for Human Rights in CanadaCCRC calls for new mechanisms to implement international human rights agreements in Canada.
  • Omar Khadr Hearing at Supreme Court The rights of children involved in armed conflict and the duty of the Canadian government to protect those rights will be presented to the Supreme Court on Friday.
  • Omar Khadr: Best Interests of the Child Key to Court DecisionThe Government's response to the Supreme Court decision on Omar Khadr must reflect the Court's confirmation of the Best Interests of the Child as a matter of fundamental justice
  • Prevention of Sexual ExploitationPrevention of sexual exploitation through effective protection of the rights of children is the focus of CCRC at Senate Committee hearings.
  • Report Card on Children’s Rights is OverdueCanada’s third progress report on children’s rights in Canada was due on January 11, 2009, but it has not been submitted. There has been no consultation with young people or organizations who work with young people. We do not know what was done with 45 recommendations that Canada received after the second review in 2003.
  • Sebastien, AB, and Ashley: Justice for All Young PeopleThe CCRC recommends major changes in Bill C-4 to ensure that Canada's youth justice system works for all young people and for public safety.
  • Senate Report endorses CCRC proposals
  • Tasers and ChildrenThe CCRC drew attention to the issue of tasers and children through letters to members of the House of Commons Public Safety Committee. In an earlier presentation the RCMP stated that they use tasers on teenagers as young as 13 years old and they do not have specific policies or training for the use of tasers with adolescents. They also acknowledged publicly that use of this device poses high risks for the life and health of some targets, especially persons who are agitated.
  • Third Report on Children's Rights ReleasedCanada's Third Report on Implementation of the Convention became available today.
  • Throne Speech and Budget for ChildrenFive suggestions for children are proposed for inclusion in the Throne Speech and Budget. To prepare for an aging population, says the CCRC, we need to invest in all our children.