For more than a decade, the quality of life for kids in Canada has been steadily declining, and the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly diminished children’s mental and physical health.
It is time for Canada to take a stand and #VoteForOurFuture.
Children deserve to survive and thrive. Tag candidates and leaders in social posts and ask how they plan to invest in kids. Find out how to contact them here.
Share the Children’s Platform with friends, family and colleagues and ask them to make children a priority in the federal election and #VoteForOurFuture.
Download our platform monitoring guide to keep up to date on where each party stands on the issues that matter most to kids. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter @children1stca, and connect with us on Facebook @childrenfirstcanada. Want regular updates sent to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter here.
Encourage young people to speak up for their rights! Share the information about the Children’s Platform with kids and teens, and ask them what they think. Have discussions with your kids about the recommendations, make a joint decision on who to vote for, and go together to the voting booth.
Your voice matters on election day! Plan when you will vote and how you will get there, then share your commitment to #VoteForOurFuture on social media.
1. Platform Monitoring (weekly updates)
4. How to Take Action
Print off these resources and spread the word in your neighbourhood, at the door, or at events and debates!
Meet our new junior reporter, eight-year-old Rayn Asaria! In the lead-up to the election, tune in every Tuesday for his perspectives on the latest news and the issues affecting Canada’s youngest citizens.
Eight-year-old Rayn Asaria speaks with federal leaders about their election plans and the issues that matter most to kids.
Canada’s ranking has fallen from 10th to 30th place among 38 wealthy nations.1
More than 1/3 of kids in Canada do not enjoy a safe and healthy childhood.2
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on children. 61% of parents expect residual effects of the pandemic on their children’s mental health, even after the pandemic is over, and 17% expect these impacts will be long term.3
75% of parents say they have received some government support throughout the pandemic, but it hasn’t been enough (42%), or they
haven’t received any support
at all (33%).3
91% of Canadians believe that Canada should put a high priority on improving its rating for child well-being.4
1. Establish an independent Commissioner for Children and Youth
2. Develop a National Strategy for Children to tackle the top 10 threats to childhood and ensure the full implementation of children’s rights.
3. Launch a Catalytic Investment Fund for Children and publish a Children’s Budget
4. Measure What Matters
5. Provide equitable funding and services for First Nations, Métis and Inuit children
6. Involve Children
CALGARY, ALTA, September 7, 2022 – As children across the country get ready for the new school year, Raising Canada 2022 tracks the top 10 threats to childhood – including poor mental health, food insecurity, systemic racism, child abuse and climate change – underscoring children are in crisis across the...
Calgary, July 30, 2021 – Earlier this week, the Province of Alberta announced plans to lift public health restrictions to curtail the spread of COVID-19, putting children and youth at very grave risk. The change in policy includes no longer requiring mandatory isolation of people who test positive for COVID-19,...
Ottawa, June 29, 2021 – Canada’s top advocates and experts united to declare a #codePINK (a term used for pediatric emergencies) and called on federal and provincial leaders for an emergency response to address the crisis affecting children’s mental and physical health. Forty days later, they are still waiting for...
Children First Canada has released a new resource to help mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 school closures on children and youth. This resource builds on the success of the online interactive tool created by Statistics Canada and Children First Canada in March and serves as a companion document to the...
Toronto, June 2, 2021 – The Ontario government announced today that students will not return to in-class learning before September, meanwhile plans to reopen the economy – including non-essential businesses – are still underway. Children First Canada calls upon the Ontario government to make children and youth a priority and...
Calgary, May 27, 2021 – The Alberta government has announced new plans to address the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and youth. Children First Canada (CFC) welcomes the acknowledgment of the gravity of the situation and the commitment to provide a whole-of-government response to the crisis. CFC...
