Toronto, ON – April 10, 2025 – Children First Canada (CFC) is proud to announce the recipients of the Champions for Children Award in celebration of the organization’s 10th anniversary. These prestigious awards will honour 10 iconic Canadian leaders and organizations whose leadership, dedication, and transformative contributions have significantly advanced the rights of children and youth across Canada. In addition, a Champions for Children Award will be presented In Memoriam to recognize the Hon. Landon Pearson, O.C., a legendary advocate for children’s rights.
The honorees will be celebrated at Champions for Children events in Toronto (May 27) and Calgary (September 23). This milestone event will highlight the invaluable work of these exceptional leaders, who have championed causes related to children’s health and wellbeing, the protection of their rights, and their empowerment as leaders and changemakers.
The 2025 Champions for Children Award Recipients
- The Hon. Rona Ambrose, Deputy Chairwoman, TD Securities
- Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society
- Darren Entwistle, CEO, TELUS
- Mary Jo Haddad, Founding Chair of Children First Canada, Past President & CEO of SickKids, Corporate Director of TELUS, Chancellor of the University of Windsor
- Wes Hall, Chairman and Founder of the BlackNorth Initiative and WeShall Investments Inc, Chancellor of the University of Toronto
- Gail O’Brien, Founding Director and Past Chair of Children First Canada, Strategic Advisory Board of O’Brien Institute of Public Health, Director Emeritus of SickKids Foundation and the National Arts Centre
- Alex Munter, CEO, Canadian Medical Association, past CEO of CHEO, Council of Champions of Children First Canada
- Kathleen (Katie) Taylor, Chair of SickKids, past Chair of RBC, Chancellor of York University, Council of Champions of Children First Canada
- Benjie Thomas, CEO, KPMG Canada
- Karen Young, CEO, United Way of Calgary and Area
In Memoriam
- The Hon. Landon Pearson O.C., the “Children’s Senator” and Founder of the Landon Pearson Centre for the Study of Childhood and Children’s Rights, Carleton University
The Champions for Children Awards celebrate the dedication of these incredible individuals and organizations who have made a profound impact on children and youth in Canada through their leadership in philanthropy, social justice, business, and public service. Their collective work has created opportunities, driven change, and given a voice to millions of children.
CFC’s Impact Over the Past Decade
As Children First Canada marks its 10th anniversary, we reflect on the journey that has shaped the organization into a leading voice for children’s rights in Canada. Since its founding in 2015, CFC has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the challenges children face in our country, including child poverty, youth mental health, online harms, and the impacts of climate change on children’s well-being. With a commitment to amplifying children’s voices, CFC has empowered thousands of youth through programs like the Young Canadians’ Parliament, National Child Day, and Being, Belonging, Becoming.
CFC has also created transformative research, such as the Raising Canada Report, which continues to highlight the top threats to children in Canada, driving public dialogue and policy change. With more than 8 million children impacted by the organization’s programs, CFC has made measurable strides in advancing children’s rights through advocacy, youth empowerment, and community engagement.
“We are incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved over the past decade,” said Sara Austin, Founder & CEO of Children First Canada. “But our work is far from done. While we celebrate these 10 incredible leaders and the progress we’ve made together, we are reminded that Canada ranks 66th on the global Kids Rights Index. We will not rest until we realize our vision of making Canada the best place in the world for kids to grow up.”
Looking Ahead: The Future is NOW! Awards
Later this year, CFC will also honour 10 young leaders and changemakers through the Future is NOW! Awards, recognizing the next generation who are defending children’s rights, making a significant impact on their communities and driving social change across Canada.
Join Us in Celebrating This Milestone
The Champions for Children events will be a unique opportunity to celebrate the incredible work of these leaders and support Children First Canada’s ongoing efforts to invest in youth empowerment, advocacy, and policy change. Sponsorships and ticket sales will help further CFC’s mission to advocate for and support the rights of children across the country.
For more information on the Champions for Children events, ticket purchases, and sponsorship opportunities, please visit this link.
Media Contact:
Andrea Chysanthou, APR
achrysanthou@childrenfirstcanada.com
416-797-8194
About Children First Canada
Children First Canada (CFC) is a national charity with a bold vision: to create a country where every child can grow up free from the barriers that prevent them from achieving their full potential. We defend their most basic rights to childhood, while empowering them to lead and inspire change. As the only national charity uniquely focused on the rights of children in Canada, we conduct cutting-edge research, equip young Canadians as leaders and changemakers, and unite our country around a shared vision to make this the best place in the world for kids to grow up.
For more information, visit www.childrenfirstcanada.org