On December 19 the UN General Assembly adopted a third Optional Protocol for the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Children will now be able to ask the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child for help if their rights are violated and there is no way for them to address their situation within …
Bill C-10, the omnibus crime bill, violates children’s rights. Proposed amendments in the House of Commons were rejected by the governing party. Now the bill goes to the Senate. In recent years the Senate has endorsed several reports in support of children’s rights. The CCRC is asking Senators to consider how Bill C-10 fulfills or …
Read more “Bill C-10: Will the Senate protect childrens’ rights?”
The BC Supreme Court upheld the prohibition against polygamy to prevent harm against women and children. The ruling gives high priority to children’s right to protection from harm. It reinforces the positive obligations of the state to prevent violations of children’s rights. And it establishes a strong link between children’s rights under the Charter and the Convention on the …
This year Canada is marking National Child Day by pushing through changes to the youth criminal justice system that completely violate the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Child. National Child Day celebrates adoption of the Convention more than 20 years ago. The CCRC laments that it is being totally ignored in the rush to pass Bill C-10.
Sunday, November 20, is National Child Day. We celebrate adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. How well are we putting it into practice? A new CCRC report shows that too many children in Canada lack the support they need to develop their full potential. It also shows why it would be smart for …
Changes to the youth justice system should not be part of the omnibus crime bill. They will put more young people in jail for longer times for lesser crimes. Jails are schools of crime for young people more than they teach young people to be responsible adults. We need a separate debate on youth justice that makes the best interests of children a top priority.
This analysis of the Throne Speech and Budget focuses on longer-term issues for children. Support for families is positive; how that support is delivered over the coming years will make a big difference for children and for Canadian society. Giving priority to children in program review is important for next year’s budget. Immediate attention is needed for …