Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children

Promoting Children’s Rights in Canada

The Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children (CCRC) works to achieve full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Canada and around the world.    

This report is a strategic review of children’s rights in Canada.  It assesses how well Canada implements the Convention on the Rights of the Child and makes recommendations for major changes.

Canada needs to focus on developing the full potential of every child, to help address the challenges of its aging population.  That is the central theme of the report.  Too many children face obstacles to realizing their full potential.

Specific actions to help vulnerable children are suggested as a top priority.  The report also proposes systemic changes to ensure that the best interests of children are considered in all government decisions that affect them.

More information on Canada’s Third Review under Current Projects below.

CURRENT PROJECTS

CCRC Recruiting Board Members

Do you know someone who would be a good candidate for the Board of the Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children?  We are looking for new board members.  Read the profile and nominate someone you think is qualified for this role:    Board Member Profile – CCRC.2012

Children, Aging, Economics and Budget 2012

Children are missing from the federal budget 2012.  This is a serious omission for a budget that focuses on economic sustainability in the context of an aging society. More investment in developing the full potential of every child makes economic sense, as well as being the right thing to do.  Read about what is missing: Children and Budget 2012.

This is part of CCRC’s effort to encourage the use of child rights impact assessments to improve public policy in Canada.

Canada’s Third Review for Children’s Rights

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child is reviewing how Canada implements the Convention.  This is the third review.  The CCRC met with the committee on February 6 to discuss the findings in the report, Right in Principle, Right in Practice.  We focused on the priorities in the report and answered questions from committee members to help them understand the situation in Canada.

The Canadian government will appear before the committee in September.  Before then the committee has asked Canada to provide more information on a number of issues.  List of issues: CRC List of Questions for Canada

We can also provide additional information and highlight Canadian priorities so the committee is well-informed.   Following the September review, the committee will make recommendations to Canada. We plan to follow through on this process to achieve real gains for Canada’s children. 

Jails Are Not for Young People 

The CCRC analyzed the proposed changes for youth justice in the omnibus crime bill and found many of them to be contrary to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  We are asking the Senate to do a full child impact assessment before passing the bill.  We have also proposed amendments, based on good practices in youth justice.   See:

Young People and Bill C-10:  Public Statement: Young People and Bill C-10 – CCRC Statement.  Submission to the Senate on Bill C-10: Bill C-10 – CCRC Submission to Senate.  Submission on earlier Bill C-4 in French: CCRC_Submission_on_Bill_C-4__-_French_translation.  English: CCRC_submission_on_Bill_C-4_final.

New Complaint Process for Children’s Rights

Young people will soon have a new tool to seek help when they rights are violated.  In November the UN General Assembly adopted an  Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child that will allow children to send a complaint to the UN Committe on the Rights of the Child, if they have tried all avenues in their own country.

Canada needs to ratify the Optional Protocol before young people in Canada can use it. The CCRC will work for ratification.  In addition, we hope to inform young people about other mechanisms they can use to pursue their rights.  This is all part of a key message that children’s rights are just as important as adult rights!   See NGO news release on OP: Complaint Mechanism – Joint NGO release. In French: Complaint Process – NGO Release -French.