For Immediate Release
November 19, 2010
National Child Day (November 20, 2010) honours our children by bringing attention to Canada’s commitment to upholding the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is also a day to support Canadian children's rights by voicing concerns about violations to their rights and to educate our own children about their rights and responsibilities.
“The adoption of the Convention and the development of National Child Day reflect growing recognition that children are valued members of our society and the future of Canada,” stated CASW President, Darlene MacDonald. “However, the Canadian government's failure to pass theConvention through Parliament remains a deterrent to realizing the full rights of children in Canada.”
Over twenty years have passed since Canada adopted the Convention in 1989, yet approximately 76,000 children are still under the protection of child and family services across the country. Furthermore, UNICEF estimates that 120,000 children and youth in Canada are in the child welfare and justice systems combined—among the highest rates in industrialized countries.
“The heartbreaking reality is that Canada has adopted the Convention in principle, but not in practice,” stated MacDonald.
In this regard, CASW renews the call to establish an independent Canadian Children’s Commissioner as recommended in the 2007 Final Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights, “Children: The Silenced Citizens.”
“Most provinces have children’s advocates, yet no office of the Government of Canada has the responsibility for calling attention to children’s views and their best interests at the federal level,” stated MacDonald. “A Canadian Children’s Commissioner would, at the very least, ensure that federal legislation, policies and programmes meet our obligations under the convention.”
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For more information:
Darlene MacDonald, MSW, RSW
President
casw@casw-acts.ca
Tel.: 613.729.6668
Fax.: 613.729.9608