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 …

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 …

What’s MIssing in Budget 2012?

Children are missing in a federal budget that focuses on preparing for Canada’s future.  Investing in child and youth development is as important for a sustainable future as reviewing old age assistance.  Developing the full potential of every child makes good economic sense as well as being the right thing to do.  Read and share …

Canadian Children on Agenda of UN Committee

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child is reviewing Canada’s implementation of the Convention.  This is the third review.  The CCRC met with the commitee on February 6 to highlight the priorities in our report, Right in Principle, Right in Practice, and answer questions about the situation of children in Canada.  Our report, …

National Child Day: How is Canada celebrating?

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.

National Child Day 2011

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 …