Canada’s Third Report: Civil Society Plans and Priorities

Introduction

Canada’s third report on implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child is overdue. There has been no public consultation in its development.   Top priority for the Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children (CCRC) is public discussion of progress made for children’s rights in Canada, especially since 2009 is the twentieth anniversary of the Convention.  Canada’s report will be reviewed by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in 2010. Follow-up on recommendations for Canada will be a CCRC focus through 2011.

The CCRC and the National Children’s Alliance are working together to bring civil society voices to the third review of progress toward realization of the rights of children in Canada.  Below are key points for consideration.

Four General Themes:  Priorities for the CCRC

A major focus for the third review is the establishment of general mechanisms to promote and protect the rights of children.   Canada was asked to improve these during the first and second review, but little has changed.   A 2007 study of children’s rights by the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights also called for major improvements.

The CCRC proposes the following major improvements:

  1. Make the Convention on the Rights of the Child part of Canadian law
  2. Establish a National Children’s Commissioner with a strong mandate, based on the Convention, to facilitate youth participation, investigate complaints, and work with provincial children’s advocates to address jurisdictional gaps in realization of the rights of children in Canada.
  3. Employ a continuous improvement approach through regular public reporting and improved monitoring,  based on outcomes for children.
  4. Use child-impact assessments of budgets, laws, and programs to protect the best interests of children across Canada.

Response to 2003 Recommendations

This is Canada’s third report. One measure of progress is response to previous recommendations.  The CCRC has called for a public response to the 45 recommendations Canada received in 2003, which can be divided into 10 major themes.

Public discussion and accountability must replace the secretive and ineffective role of the Continuing Committee of Officials, who now oversee implementation of the recommendations.  See the Factsheets on Canada and the Rights of Children on the CCRC website for further information on the 2003 Recommendations.

Report on the Actual Status of Children in Canada

Canada’s third report should provide an analysis of data on the actual situation of children across Canada, including vulnerable groups.   It is not sufficient to provide a catalogue of government programs and services for children.  Outcomes for children, inclusion of vulnerable groups, and equitable opportunity for children regardless of status at birth or place of residence are measures of progress for realization of the rights of children.   Public reporting should include quantitative indicators of changes in the status of children and variations by location, age, gender, and other factors.

Specific Areas for Attention

Following are specific areas for attention and leaders working on strategic reports:

  • Justice – Justice for Children and Youth and DCI
  • Education and Awareness of Rights – Katherine Covell
  • Health- Dr. Sue Bennett
  • Violence – Lisa Wolff and PREV-Net
  • Early Childhood and Child Care – Under discussion
  • Aboriginal –AFN and others
  • Refugee and Immigrant children – Canadian Council of Refugees
  • Disabilities – Canadian Association of Community Living
  • Child Welfare – Child Welfare League of Canada
  • OP on Sexual Exploitation – International Bureau of Children’s Rights
  • OP on Children and Armed Conflict – Kathy Vandergrift and CAC Forum

For further information on the CCRC monitoring initiative, please contact Kathy Vandergrift, Chair of the CCRC, at kathyvandergrift@rogers.com.