Abstract
Policies can impact the well-being of children both directly and indirectly. Despite the growing acceptance of children as active citizens, they are often neglected in decision-making regarding policy. The Canadian government, which is built on principles of liberty and respect of human rights has the duty to guarantee that children’s views and needs are taken into account. In this regard, the creation of a National Children’s Rights Commissioner is an essential step to the establishment of a system that is accountable to children and the entire community. In this paper, we present the arguments in support of the need for a National Commissioner of Children and Youth in Canada. Recent research on the beneficial impact of the National Commissioner and their successes across different Commonwealth countries will be presented, and implications will be discussed.
Highlights
A commissioner for children and youth refers to a federal representative for children and youth who promotes their rights in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
In Canada, as we will outline in more detail in this paper, children are currently only receiving representation at the provincial-territorial level through the support of the Canadian Council of Child and Youth Advocates (CCCYA); they and are missing independent representation from the highest legislative body, the Canadian Parliament
This indicates that children are precluded from received adequate representation in regard important matters concerning of federal jurisdiction such as immigration, and matters affecting refugees, Indigenous, Inuit and Metis, criminal law, the divorce act to name a few
Summary
A commissioner for children and youth (the commissioner) refers to a federal representative for children and youth who promotes their rights in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). In Canada, as we will outline in more detail in this paper, children are currently only receiving representation at the provincial-territorial level through the support of the Canadian Council of Child and Youth Advocates (CCCYA); they and are missing independent representation from the highest legislative body, the Canadian Parliament This indicates that children are precluded from received adequate representation in regard important matters concerning of federal jurisdiction such as immigration, and matters affecting refugees, Indigenous, Inuit and Metis, criminal law, the divorce act to name a few. “Establish an independent Commissioner for Children and Youth in Canada to promote, monitor and report on the implementation of Canada’s obligations under the Convention and to advance the rights of children and youth in Canada, giving primary consideration to the best interests of the child in all actions concerning children” (Bill S-217, 2020) This bill was abandoned in August 2020 with the end of the session of parliament but was swiftly re-introduced in the Senate by Senator Moodie as Bill S-210 in September 2020.
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