The right to health in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 24, is helpful in Canada because it highlights the importance of the social determinants of health for children. Canada’s report for the 5th/6th review of children’s rights recognizes vulnerable groups of children but pays too little attention to the conditions in …
The Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children (CCRC) welcomes the official release of Canada’s first Federal Poverty Reduction Strategy. It signals clear recognition of the need for focused and coordinated attention to address the long-standing challenge of poverty, including child poverty, across Canada. In particular, the framework is noteworthy for setting targets, using multiple …
The CCRC welcomes the next step in the development of a National Poverty Reduction Strategy. Ending child poverty should be a strong focus in the process and the final strategy. A discussion paper and on-line consultations invite input from across Canada. The deadline for consultation is June. Release of the strategy is expected in …
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A new research report compares what parents contribute to the costs of early childhood education with what they contribute to post-secondary education costs. These are two non-mandatory components of preparing children for full participation in society, but both are increasingly essential for young people. The research shows that “parents with children in PSE (post-secondary education) …
Read more “Early Childhood Education Costs: a thought-provoking report”
Children in Canada will benefit if Canada takes seriously the outcome of its sixth review under the International Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. Recommendations for children repeat themes that the CCRC raised during the review of children’s rights. Canada was asked to take action on a wide range of issues, including: the need …
Read more “Children and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights”
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 …
Is it acceptable that a higher percentage of Canadian children live in poverty than in other countries similar to Canada? On September 26 the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child will question Canada about its record on child poverty. Canada has not made substantive progress in reducing child poverty since the last review. …