Call To Action In Canada

A Call to Action

We imagine a Canada where every child can achieve their full potential, and where the rights of every child are fully realized.

We call upon all Canadians to rise to the collective challenge to invest in Canada’s children and take urgent action to close the gaps.

We need to be able to realize our full rights and all Canadians need to support children in advocating for their rights. Every adult can be an an ally.

We note the following issues that require urgent action so that every child in Canada can thrive.

1. Child Participation & Youth Engagement

We envision a Canada where childrens’ voices are empowered and children are valued as equal citizens, decision makers and leaders in Canadian society.

We call

A stable and secure future

We envision a Canada where every child has a clear and attainable future.

We call for the following:

• Address the social determinants of health and poverty that undermine many current efforts

• Families and communities where children are supported by and connected to many people in their lives

• The policies of government and the private sector affect children in all spheres of life, including social, economic, environmental, and financial. Consider children in all policy making and measure the impacts on children.

• Every action taken for the benefit of Canadians needs to consider the best interests of children

• Children have a right to participate in the decisions affecting them 6. Quality education

We envision an education system where schools are a truly safe space for all and offer quality education regardless of location.

We call for the following:

• Children should be able to go to school in their home community and receive a high quality

Reduced substance use

We envision a Canada where substance use is lowered and stigma is reduced so children and families that need help will seek help.

We call for the following:

• Programs that address the social determinants of substance use and misuse

• Accessible and effective prevention and rehabilitation programs because prevention is better that enforcement

• Youth-led programming such as peer support

• A commitment to harm reduction in all substance use education and programs that contributes to ending stigma

• Better education for parents and educators about substance use so that children learn about it at school and at home and not through social media

11. Celebrate cultural & language diversity

We envision a Canada where children, their families and communities can express their culture and language in an accepting and inclusive environment.

We call for the following:

• Media that represents the diversity of Canadian people and communities

• Opportunities for experiential learning amongst cultures and communities

• Promotion of multiculaturalism as a Canadian value 12. Achieve Reconciliation with Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Metis