Newer reports
- Children and Young People’s Interventions in ‘Post-Pandemic’ Times (from the Canadian Journal of
Children’s Rights) - Ontario’s child welfare system – an overview of major issues
- Adverse Childhood Experiences and Education Outcomes among Adolescents: Linking Survey and
Administrative Data - Children in Foster Care in Canada in 2016 & 2021
- Are the kids alright? Why Canada must urgently step up to ensure children’s rights
- Canadian Bar Association’s children’s rights toolkit:
- Children for Health Oral Health Report: Check out this poster on oral health! It was developed this over many months with experts from around the world. The idea was to distill 10 key messages for children to learn and share on the topic of oral health. On the reverse side of the poster are suggestions on how to use the poster and activities for children. The poster has been downloaded many hundreds of times in over 50 countries. Please take a look!
- The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is pleased to announce the publication of Pride Guide 2022: Youth Strategies for Tackling Gender-Based Violence in Our Schools. PHAC supported the Centre for Global Education to create Pride Guide 2022, which highlights ongoing challenges that 2SLGBTQ+ youth in Canada face, including impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. 2SLGBTQ+ youth from across Canada came together to share their lived experiences in their schools and communities. Pride Guide 2022 offers practical strategies proposed by youth that can help grow and strengthen school communities and address gender-based violence in schools. The guide explores the importance of supportive teachers and staff members to 2SLGBTQ+ students, and provides advice for educators on using inclusive language and displays of support for 2SLGBTQ+ students. Please read and share Pride Guide 2022 to learn more about creating an inclusive environment in schools: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/pride-guide-2022.html
Reports on Children’s Rights in Canada for the 5th/6th Review of Canada
Canada is currently undergoing its 5th/6th review of how it implements children’s rights. The CCRC and other civil society groups have submitted reports that analyze progress, based on the experience of children and research on issues that affect how well children in Canada can realize their rights. These reports provide useful information on the situation of children in Canada.
Age-based Rules and Children’s Rights
Canada has a wide variety of age-based laws for children, without consistency or clear justification. Parents, schools, and other institutions also use age as a basis for rules for children. The CCRC advocates for basing all minimum ages and ages of eligibility on all the provisions in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. They should be justified, using a Child Rights Impact Assessment, and reviewed periodically to determine if restrictions are required for the legitimate protection of children or whether they are barriers to the full development of children and full exercise of their rights.
Age-based Rules: A Discussion Starter outlines questions to ask and principles in the Convention to consider for making age-based rules for children.
Age and Children’s Rights: CRIN Discussion Paper prepared by the Children’s Rights International Network (CRIN), provides more detailed analysis of basic principles, relevant provisions in the Convention, international research on the use of minimun ages in legislation, and suggestions for policy-makers.
Children’s Rights Can Make Canada Work Better for Young People
This discussion paper addresses the challenges of implementing children’s rights in Canada’s federal system of government. It turns around the common perception that federalism prevents implementation to illustrate how greater attention to children’s rights could improve how federalism works. Children’s Rights Can Make Canada Work Better for Young People.
Family Law and Children’s Rights in Canada: A submission by the CCRC proposes changes in Canada’s family law to better protect the rights of children impacted by the processes and decisions made in the family court system.
Best Interests of the Child
In 2009 the Coalition hosted a symposium to explore the meaning and application of the Best Interests of the Child, a central principle in the Convention. The report identifies key questions and makes recommendations for a wide range of areas where the Best Interest principle applies.
Report: Best Interests of the Child: Meaning and Application in Canada (English)
Report in French: L’interest superieur de l’enfant
News Release for Best Interests of the Child Report
Child Rights Impact Assessments
In 2013 the CCRC sponsored a symposium on the use of Child Rights Impact Assessments (CRIA) to improve public decision-making that affects children. The CCRC continues to research and apply the learnings of this symposium, along with international colleagues.
Fact Sheet on Child Rights Impact Assessments
Report: Child Rights Impact Assessments: A Tool to Focus on Children
Discussion Paper before Symposium
General Measures for Implementation of Children’s Rights: Not There Yet: Canada’s Implementation of CRC General Measures