Report Card on Children’s Rights is Overdue

Canada’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.  There has been no response to 45 recommendations received after the second review in 2003. 

If children did their school work this way, they would be disciplined.  Who disciplines the government?

Canada’s children lose out when their rights are not taken seriously.   There should be regular public reports to measure progress and encourage public discussion.  

We have now seen that public reports  in Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and British Columbia have produced change.  The same could happen at the federal level.

All Canadians can stand up for children’s rights by telling our elected representatives that we expect them to live up to the promises Canada made to our children 20 years ago.  Releasing the report is a first step.