The Canadian Children’s Charter of Rights
In 2017, Children First Canada took on an inspiring project – creating the Canadian Children’s Charter: A Call to Action to Respect, Protect, and Fulfill the Rights of Children. This project involved consulting thousands of young voices across the country, empowering them to craft a plan of action designed by kids for kids.
The process kicked off in November 2017 on National Child Day. Consultations began through a digital campaign and a National Summit in Ottawa, where kids worked alongside leaders from different sectors to draft a document that championed their rights. After over one year of fine-tuning and feedback, the charter officially launched on National Child Day, November 20, 2018. It gained widespread support from the Prime Minister, parliamentarians, business leaders, and advocates.
So what’s the Charter all about? Its goal is to raise public awareness and mobilize action on children’s rights. It reminds us that Canada is legally bound to respect, protect, and fulfill the rights of every child, as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Charter outlines urgent issues that need addressing if we want every child in Canada to reach their full potential:
- Child Participation and Youth Engagement
- High-Quality Healthcare
- Reduced Substance Use
- End Discrimination, Exclusion, and Bullying
- Stable and Secure Future
- End Violence and Abuse
- High-Quality Education
- Celebrate Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
- Reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples
The implementation of the Canadian Children’s Charter marks a huge milestone in prioritizing the well-being and rights of Canada’s children. It’s a noteworthy step forward, emphasizing a commitment to nurturing the future generations of our country.