What’s Next for Children’s Rights in Canada?

MPs from all political parties will discuss the recommendations Canada received after the Third/Fourth Review of Children’s Rights  in a panel discussion at the CCRC Annual General Meeting on November 23.  That will be followed by a general discussion of what the CCRC and others can do to advance children’s rights in Canada.  The meeting …

Children’s Commissioner: Bill C-420 vote on November 5

Bill C-420 is a private member’s bill to establish a National Children’s Commissioner.  It will be debated again on November 5.  A vote could send the bill to committee or kill it.   Children’s advocates are encouraging members of parliament from all parties to support referral to a committee so the proposal can be studied in more …

Path to Progress for Children: Recommendations for Canada

The Concluding Observations from the third review of children’s rights in Canada include recommendations for action that would greatly improve conditions for children in Canada.  The CCRC will be pursuing implementation of these recommendations.  Watch for a user-friendly summary and more detailed analysis in the days ahead. One reaction to evidence that some children in Canada …

Debate on National Advocate for Children in Parliament

A private member’s bill to establish a national advocate for children, Bill C-420, was debated for  one hour this week.  The next hour of debate is scheduled for November 5.   It is surprising to hear members of parliament say it is not necessary to have a national advocate for children one week after the UN …

Children’s Rights Could Improve Federalism

Dialogue between Canadian government officials and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child revealed many gaps in support for some children in Canada to develop their full potential.   The lack of coherence in policies that affect children was highlighted when the committee, composed of experts in child development and children’s rights, reviewed reports …

Children before federalism

Today marked the end of Canada’s third and final session in Geneva in front of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Canadian delegates had a final opportunity to answer and clarify questions from the committee. The committee posed questions on Canada’s education system, universal childcare, the over representation of Indigenous and minority …