Description:
On September 26 and 27 the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child will ask the Canadian government questions about children in Canada. How will Canada respond to evidence that shows the rights of some children are not being fulfilled?
The CCRC has submitted its assessment and additional evidence in response to a list of issues from the committee. The government of Canada has not yet submitted its response to the list of issues, which was due on July 2. Failure to take its reporting responsibility seriously reflects the low level of priority given to the rights of children. Canada will face tough questions from the committee, based on evidence they have received from others.
For the first time Canadians will be able to watch the session through webcast. The CCRC will assist by providing commentary on the proceedings through blog links between board members in Geneva and in Canada. Canadians who care about children will be able to express their views through the CCRC Facebook page. Watch the CCRC website for updates and mark your calendar to tune into the webcast.
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Did you know that . . .
- Children and young people endure more violence, exploitation, and abuse than adults in Canada?
- Over 67,000 children are in state care, without a permanent home, and many leave state care at age 16 or 18 without the support that most other youth get from their families?
- Canada has a lower rate of adopting chidren who need homes than many other countries?
- A higher percentage of Canadian children live in poverty than in comparable countries?
- Over 50% of children with disabilities lack access to aids they need because of cost?
- Canada spends much less on early child development than comparable countries do?
- Canada ranks low for inter-generational fairness because of its low level of support for children?
These are a few of the facts that the Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children presented to the committee. Now it is time to focus on what could be done to give all children in Canada a fair chance to develop their full potential.
Visit rightsofchild.ca for more information on how you can listen and participate when Canada meets with the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
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