Advocates call on UN to probe Canada’s record in children’s rights
Posted May 16, 2022 3:23 pm.
Last Updated May 16, 2022 3:25 pm.
Ahead of Canada’s appearance before the UN’s Committee on the Rights of the Child, May 17 and 18, advocates are calling on the UN to probe Canada’s record in children’s rights regarding Indigenous and racialized children, those in poverty and living with disabilities.
The Committee on the Rights of the Child is a group of experts who examine countries to see how well they are protecting the human rights of children.
Ten years ago, the Committee put forward recommendations that some say Canada has not put into action.
“The government of Canada has heard from so many civil society organizations. They’ve heard from people with lived experience of rights violations, children like rights holders. But we need to see action,” said Kate Butler, Chair and President, Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children.
“Canada did receive recommendations in these areas in 2012. So we’re hoping that the Committee asks very specifically, why haven’t you done these things? For example, one of the recommendations was an annual report on the children who are in care across this country. Why they’re there? Have their cases been reviewed, etc.? This is something that could be done,” explained Kathy Vandergrift, former chair, Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children .
“We hope that the UN asks the tough questions that will lead to recommendations that we can take to government officials in Canada at the federal level, at the provincial level and at the city level, as all these speakers,” added Butler.
“If all these good women and men come together and speak their truth about what is going on and, you know, allow them to share all of these ignored recommendations – and all the powerhouses that are still trying to break through the barriers, that’s something should change,” said Nakuset, Executive Director, Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal.
