Too Many Children Wait for Adoption

Is it acceptable that Canada has a lower rate of domestic adoptions than comparable countries? Finding permanent family-like care for children who cannot stay with their birth families should be a top priority.  All children deserve to grow up with the love and support of a permanent family, whether a birth or adoptive family. Canada …

Canada Ranks Low in Investments for Children

Did you know that Canada spends less on child development than most similar countries? Smart countries see spending on child development as an investment.  Research shows that it is good economics to invest in a country’s young people.  Canada considers spending on children as a financial drain that needs to be minimized to reduce budgets.  Helping children develop …

Canada Ranks Low on Child Well-being Indicators

Did you know that Canada ranks low when indicators of children’s well-being are compared internationally? Canada has ranked near the bottom in international comparisons of the well-being of children in industrialized countries in recent years. Following are examples: Infant Mortality – 24th of 30 countries Health and Safety – 22nd of 30 countries Child Poverty …

Children Miss Out on Basic Needs in Canada

Is it acceptable that a higher percentage of Canadian children live in poverty than in other countries similar to Canada? On September 26 the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child will question Canada about its record on child poverty.  Canada has not made substantive progress in reducing child poverty since the last review. …

Too Many Children Lack Family Support: Third Review

Is it acceptable that over 67,000 children are in state care, without a permanent home, and that a high percentage leave state care at age 16 or 18 without support that other children get from their families? On September 26, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child will ask Canada what is being …

Canada’s Third Review: Ready or Not

On September 26 and 27 the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child will ask the Canadian government questions about children  in Canada.  How will Canada respond to evidence that shows the rights of some children are not being fulfilled? The CCRC has submitted its assessment and additional evidence in response to a list of …

National Children’s Advocate before Parliament

MP Marc Garneau introduced a private member’s bill to establish a National Children’s Commissioner in Canada.  This is one tool for children’s rights that has worked well in other countries.  The CCRC advocates for such an office with a strong mandate that includes investigating complaints from young people.  Garneau’s bill will be debated in the …