Changes to the youth justice system should not be part of the omnibus crime bill. They will put more young people in jail for longer times for lesser crimes. Jails are schools of crime for young people more than they teach young people to be responsible adults. We need a separate debate on youth justice that makes the best interests of children a top priority.
This analysis of the Throne Speech and Budget focuses on longer-term issues for children. Support for families is positive; how that support is delivered over the coming years will make a big difference for children and for Canadian society. Giving priority to children in program review is important for next year’s budget. Immediate attention is needed for …
The CCRC proposes that the First Call for Children principle be applied in the upcoming program review and budget cuts to reduce the deficit. A letter to the Prime Minister also proposes the use of child impact assessments before the adoption of new policies that affect children. Read letter: letter-to-pm-on-first-call-for-children.
In 2007 the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights released a report entitled Children: Silenced Citizens. It contained 24 recommendations to improve children’s rights in Canada. Unfortunately its recommendations have not been implemented. It remains a well-researched study on the status of children in Canada. Read the Senate Report CCRC Submission to the Senate Committee …
Read more “Silenced Citizens: Senate Report on Children in Canada”