Here you will find the Concluding Observations from the 2022 UN Review of Canada by the Committee on the Rights of the Child (5th/6th Review). Each week we will highlight some of the Concluding Observations. Working with students, we have re-written these Concluding Observations in child-friendly language. You can find the original COs here.
Summary of Recommendations for Canada
- These concluding observations are from Canada’s appearance on May 17 and 18, 2022.
- The Committee thanks Canada for participating both by appearing in front of the Committee and also for submitting alternative reports.
- The Committee says Canada has made some good progress since the last review, especially on the Divorce Act, the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, and 2020 Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, young people and families.
- Remember that all rights under the Convention of the Rights of Children are related. It’s important to work towards all of them, but they also draw urgent attention to: independent monitoring (para. 13), non-discrimination (para. 18), the right to life, survival and development (para. 21), abuse and neglect (para. 27), children deprived of a family environment (para. 32) and standard of living (para. 39).
5. Promote children’s rights in accordance with the Convention and the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict, and the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. As well, ensure the meaningful participation of children in the process of creating and implementing policies and programs which concern them.
6. The government is encouraged to withdraw its current reservations to section 21 (which concerns support and justice for victims and families of residential schools and mercury poisoning on Indigenous reserves), and section 37(c) (which encourages the collection and distribution of data that analyzes the impact of climate change on children).
7. Create laws that equally protect the rights of all children in Canada as outlined in the Convention and that these rights are provided and protected for each child equally.