Children’s Rights Need to be Central in Child Welfare

On September 6, 2019 the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ordered the Canadian government to pay compensation to First Nations children who had suffered from discrimination and violation of their rights in Canada’s child welfare systems.  The amount of the award for each child is to be determined through an independent process. The total cost is …

Preventing Homelessness and Children’s Rights

Canada can do more to prevent youth homelessness, according to research with youth on the street.  Waiting until young people are in crisis is costly in human impact and finances.  Addressing the issues that contribute to youth homelessness coincides with implementing the rights of children.  This is another area where paying attention to children’s rights …

Speak Up for Children in 2019 Election

Children are not allowed to vote but they will be affected by the results of the upcoming federal election.  Everyone can speak up to ensure that children’s policies are part of the public discussion this fall.  It is timely because 2019 is the 30th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Children …

Healthy Conditions for Growing Up in Canada

The right to health in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 24, is helpful in Canada because it highlights the importance of the social determinants of health for children.  Canada’s report for the 5th/6th review of children’s rights recognizes vulnerable groups of children but pays too little attention to the conditions in …

Children’s Commissioner: Accountability in Children’s Rights

The Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children (CCRC) welcomes a renewed focus on the need for a national children’s commissioner, which re-started today with the introduction of a private member’s bill by MP Anne Minh-Thu Quach.  “The current lack of accountability for implementation of children’s rights across Canada is a major gap in good …

Pieces Need a Coherent Plan for Children: Budget 2019

Children will benefit from some of the new initiatives included in the 2019 Federal Budget.  But the lack of a coherent policy framework means that children will also continue to fall through the cracks of a patchwork of programs.  Each one addresses a part of what children need to develop their full potential; there is …

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Government Report on Children’s Rights in Canada Needs More Analysis

Canada’s 5th-6th report on implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Canada is now filed with the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.  Copies of the report and annexes are available here for your reference.   The report shows some progress since the last review.  Missing is information on outcomes …