Canada is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, yet we rank 30th out of 38 wealthy nations for child well-being and 66th on the global Kids Rights Index. 1 in 5 children lives in poverty, mental health services are overwhelmed, online harms are rising, and climate change is threatening kids’ health and future. This election is a critical moment to demand bold action from our leaders to ensure every child in Canada grows up safe, healthy, and empowered.
Children First Canada is calling on all federal parties to commit to a National Strategy for Children and Youth and take urgent action to:
This election, help make children’s issues a top priority:
Contact your local candidates and federal party leaders – Tell them that investing in children matters – share the election platform with them and urge them to put children first in their decisions.
Talk to kids and youth about the election – Share resources to help them understand what’s at stake.
Spread the word on social media – Use #VoteForKidsCAN and share our campaign resources to raise awareness.
Make a plan to vote – Go to the polls and cast your ballot for the candidate and party committed to making Canada the best place in the world for kids to grow up.
Children can’t vote—but you can. Let’s make their voices heard.
#VoteForKidsCAN #EveryChildThriving #IfKidsCouldVote
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
91% of Canadians believe that Canada should put a high priority on improving its rating for child well-being.3
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...
