For over 30 years, the Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children (CCRC) has been the lead national umbrella group of organizations and individuals committed to the full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in Canada. It pursues its mission through public education, policy analysis, advocacy, and monitoring progress.
The coalition operates as a charitable organization under federal legislation. The board, elected at each AGM, includes representatives of child rights organizations, individual advocates, and academic specialists on child rights. Current board members are:
- Hala Mreiwed, PhD, Children’s Rights Education Advisor – Chair
- Samira Ahmed, Lawyer, Justice for Children and Youth – Treasurer
- Tara Black, PhD, Assistant Professor, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto – Secretary
- Olivia Lecoufle, Child Rights and Child Protection Advisor at Save the Children Canada
- Michael Saini, Ph.D., MSW, RSW, Professor, Factor-Inwentash Chair in Law and Social Work. University of Toronto
- Ashley Vandermorris, MC, FRCPC, Staff Physician, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Sick Kids Hospital. Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto
- Anamika Baijnath, Director of Experiential Learning, Quality Assurance and Strategic Initiatives, Faculty of Community Services, Toronto Metropolitan University
- Danielle Dionne, Q. Med, Parent Practitioner
- Prudence Caldairou-Bessette, PhD/PsyD, Clinical psychologist. Assistant professor, Department of Psychoeducation and psychology, University of Quebec in Outaouais (UQO). Adjunct professor, Department of psychology, University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM). Child and family psychologist, Kahnawake Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services.
- Cheryl Perera, Founder and President of OneChild
- Sharlene Weitzman, MSW, RSW, LLM
Honourable Landon Pearson, O.C., (1930-2023): “Origins and Early Days of the Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children”
The Honourable Landon Pearson, O.C., (1930-2023) was one of the founders of the Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children. As a Senator, she became known as the Children’s Senator. Senator Landon Pearson worked at all levels, from local communities to the United Nations, to advance children’s rights. Following her service as a Senator, she established the Landon Pearson Resource Center for the Study of Childhood and Children’s Rights at Carleton University, where she promoted understanding and respect for the rights of children, especially the right for children to have a voice in decisions that affect them.
In this essay posted by past CCRC Chair Kathy Vandergrift on the 30th Anniversary of the UN CRC and the CCRC, The Honourable Landon Pearson, O.C., (1930-2023) recalled the excitement around the Adoption of the UN CRC and why and how the Coalition was formed.