National Child Day is the Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is a good day for the Government of Canada to tell Canadians what it plans to do with the recommendations from the Third/Fourth Review, which it received in October. The CCRC proposes that the government commit to developing a …
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 …
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 …
Read more “Children’s Commissioner: Bill C-420 vote on November 5”
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 …
Read more “Path to Progress for Children: Recommendations for Canada”
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 …
Read more “Debate on National Advocate for Children in Parliament”
Now that Omar Khadr is back in Canada, a reintegration plan should be the top priority. The first step is a full assessment of health and education needs, working with him to develop a plan that will allow him to develop his skills, and then implementing it. Canada was the first country to ratify the Optional …
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 …