2001:02EM A COMMISSIONER FOR CANADA'S CHILDREN
Whereas: policy decisions affecting children are made by many departments of government;
and
Whereas: the federal government has made commitments to work together with provinces and territories to improve the well-being of Canada’s children and has adopted an active role in promoting the Children’s Agenda;
and
Whereas: Canada needs an independent body to monitor the implementation of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child, ratified by Canada in 1991;
and
Whereas: the Children’s Bureau which was set up in 1991 within the Department of Health cannot fulfil this role because it lacks independence;
and
Whereas: Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child states that a child who is capable of forming his own views should have the right to express them in matters affecting the child;
therefore be it
RESOLVED: that the National Council of Women of Canada support the appointment of a Commissioner for Canada’s Children;
and be it further
RESOLVED: that National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to appoint an independent and non-partisan Commissioner for Canada’s Children, accountable to Canadians through Parliament, with a mandate to:
- promote an effective and coherent approach to children in federal government policies and legislation; and
- ensure that the federal government lives up to the commitments made to children at the national and international level; and
- ensure that children’s voices are heard in decisions affecting them made at the federal level.