National Child Day on November 20 celebrates adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child more than 20 years ago. This year Canada will mark the occasion by pushing through changes to the youth criminal justice system that completely violate the Convention.
Canada ratified the Convention in 1991, but the government has not done a review of how Bill C-10 fulfills or violates its obligations under the Convention.
If Bill C-10 passes as it is, the government should notify the UN that it is no longer committed to articles 4, 37, 39, and 40 of the Convention. In essence, it no longer upholds the central principles of children’s rights. The CCRC has asked that all MPs be informed how the bill fulfills or violates the Convention before they vote on this bill.
Commentary on Bill C-10: Young People and Bill C-10 – CCRC Statement