Ottawa, April 19, 2021 – The federal government has released its first budget since the COVID-19 pandemic. Budget 2021 yields historic investments in childcare and early learning, but lacks bold leadership to urgently address children’s health crisis and ensure the protection of their rights.
Budget 2021, “A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience,” focused on fighting COVID-19 and the economic recovery. It included several measures aimed at improving the lives of Canadians, including: job creation, business and economic growth, women, early learning and childcare, the environment, and young Canadians.
Budget 2021 includes significant funding commitments for children and youth in several areas, including, but not limited to:
- $30 billion over the next five years, and $8.3 billion ongoing for Early Learning and Child Care and Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care.
- $118.4 million to conduct a two-year pilot expansion of the Supports for Student Learning Program. This will support national and local after-school organizations that work to ensure that vulnerable children and youth can graduate high school and do not become further marginalized because of the pandemic.
- $100 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, to support projects for innovative mental health interventions for populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, including health care workers, front-line workers, youth, seniors, Indigenous peoples, and racialized and Black Canadians.
- $140 million in 2021-22 to top up the Emergency Food Security Fund and Local Food Infrastructure Fund. The budget acknowledged that one-third of those relying on foodbanks are children. The funds will be used to prevent hunger, strengthen food security in our communities, and provide nutritious food to more Canadians.
The budget also included investments to support the charitable sector, which includes organizations that play a critical role in supporting children’s health and well-being:
- Extension of the wage subsidy until September 25, 2021. It also proposes to gradually decrease the subsidy rate, beginning July 4, 2021, in order to ensure an orderly phase-out of the program as vaccinations are completed and the economy reopens.
- $400 million in 2021-22 to create a temporary Community Services Recovery Fund to help charities and non-profits adapt and modernize so they can better support the economic recovery in our communities.
Children First Canada welcomes these investments, many of which address the concerns raised in our Raising Canada report about the alarming state of childhood in Canada (see Appendix A for a more complete list of investments). However, these investments fall far short of what is required to address the urgent and systemic issues that undermine children’s physical and mental health.
The pandemic has had a devastating impact on children, the impacts of which will be felt for years to come. We cannot build back better if we do not acknowledge the burden that children are carrying and provide them the very tangible and substantial support they need to survive and thrive.
All children and youth have been impacted by the pandemic, but some have been particularly hard hit, including: First Nations, Métis and Inuit children, Black and other children of colour, children growing up in poverty, those with complex medical needs and disabilities, and children who experience abuse in their homes.
Kids and their families are facing unprecedented challenges because of the economic crisis and ongoing restrictions, particularly school closures. The federal and provincial governments have not taken adequate steps to mitigate the damage.
- Less than five per cent of children met their daily physical activity guidelines during the first lockdown.(1)
- Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children conducted a study which found that roughly 70 per cent of children experienced a deterioration of their mental health during the pandemic. (2)
- The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa, Ottawa Public Health, reported that CHEO has seen more than twice as many infants (children under one year) for maltreatment concerns – specifically fractures and head trauma(3) – since September 2020. The Children’s Hospital of British Columbia also reported a spike in cases of severe child neglect, including starvation.
- The national tip line for reporting online sexual exploitation of children noted an 88 per cent rise in reports of sextortion during the pandemic, as kids are spending more time at home and online. (4)
“Children have suffered gravely throughout the pandemic, making exceptional sacrifices to keep their families and our country safe,” says Sara Austin, founder and CEO, Children First Canada. “Kids have been brave and done their part, but in many ways, we as adults have failed them. We need bolder leadership from our government to not just acknowledge the unique ways that they have suffered, but also provide tangible investments in their physical and mental health.”
Leading up to the federal budget, Children First Canada and members of our Council of Champions called for specific measures to improve children’s lives, but today’s budget fell short.
For instance, Children’s Healthcare Canada called for an investment of $450 million to improve timely access to child and youth mental health services. While the budget recognized that young people have seen the greatest decline in good mental health compared to pre-pandemic levels, only $100 million was invested over three years to support innovative mental health interventions for vulnerable Canadians, of which children and youth were one of many groups.
“Budget 2021 acknowledges the tremendous burden COVID-19 has had on the mental health of children and youth,” says Emily Gruenwoldt, President and CEO of Children’s Healthcare Canada. “The investments announced are welcome but insufficient to urgently address the complexity of the crisis at hand.”
Children First Canada welcome’s today’s investments in young Canadians, and we continue to advocate for evidence-based solutions to address the urgent and systemic threats to children, including:
Establishing an independent Commissioner for Children and Youth who would:
- lead a comprehensive National Strategy for Children with the cooperation and support of provinces/ territories to implement children’s rights, tackle the top 10 threats to childhood and address the impacts of the pandemic,
- ensure the investment of federal resources and providing transparency through a Children’s Budget, and
- Measure what matters by ensuring the collection of disaggregated population-level data through the Canadian Health Survey of Children and Youth (CHSCY) conducted by Statistics Canada.*
“People, especially youth like myself, are watching. We want to see the government investing in us and our future and not in band-aid solutions,” says Amelia Penney-Crocker, member of Children First Canada’s Youth Advisory Council and a member of the Young Canadians’ Parliament.
More must be done to measurably change the lives of children in Canada and ensure the protection of their rights. Canada’s economic recovery plans must put children at the centre. Children represent nearly one quarter of our population and 100 per cent of our future. Failing to invest in the health and well-being of children will impede Canada’s ability to recover from COVID-19 impacts both in the short- and long-term.
We remain committed to working in collaboration with the government, our partners, and directly with children and youth to ensure that every young Canadian has the support they need to survive and thrive.
Kids can’t wait, and it’s time for Canada to measure up!
Full budget documents are accessed here.
Contact:
Stephanie Mitton
Government Relations Advisor
c: (613) 581-4584
e: smitton@childrenfirstcanada.com
About Children First Canada:
Children First Canada (CFC) is a national charitable organization that serves as a strong, effective, and independent voice for all children in Canada. CFC harnesses the strength of many organizations and individuals that are committed to improving the lives of children in Canada, including children’s charities and hospitals, research centres, government, corporations, community leaders, and children themselves. Visit childrenfirstcanada.org for more information.
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*Other key elements of a Commissioner’s mandate are spelled out in Bill S-210 An Act to establish the Office of the Commissioner for Children and Youth, sponsored by Senator Rosemarie Moodie.
Appendix A: A summary of key investments for children and youth in Budget 2021
- $30 billion over the next five years, and $8.3 billion ongoing for Early Learning and Child Care and Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care.
- $118.4 million to conduct a two-year pilot expansion of the Supports for Student Learning Program. These funds would support national and local after-school organizations who work to ensure that vulnerable children and youth can graduate high school, and do not become further marginalized because of the pandemic.
- $100 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, to support projects for innovative mental health interventions for populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, including health care workers, front-line workers, youth, seniors, Indigenous peoples, and racialized and Black Canadians.
- $140 million in 2021-22 to top up the Emergency Food Security Fund and Local Food Infrastructure Fund, which would prevent hunger, strengthen food security in our communities, and provide nutritious food to more Canadians.
- $80 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, to help CanCode reach 3 million more students—with an even greater focus on underrepresented groups—and 120,000 more teachers.
- $315.4 million over seven years, starting in 2021-22, through the Canada Housing Benefit, to increase direct financial assistance for low-income women and children fleeing violence to help with their rent payments.
- $250 million in funding under the National Housing Co-Investment Fund, which will be allocated to support the construction, repair, and operating costs of an estimated 560 units of transitional housing and shelter spaces for women and children fleeing violence. This targeted funding is being reallocated—including advancing $200 million to 2021- 22 and 2022-23.
- The funding for Kids Help Phone has been extended into 2021-22 to ensure that it can continue to deliver counselling services to youth during the pandemic.
- $1.2 billion over five years, and $181.8 million ongoing to education for First Nation’s Students.
- $28.4 million over five years, starting in 2021-22, for Justice Canada for protections for women and children during divorce and separation. This will protect the safety and well-being of children and families.
- $20.7 million over five years, starting in 2021-22, for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to enhance its ability to pursue online child sexual exploitation investigations, identify victims and remove them from abusive situations, and bring offenders to justice—including those who offend abroad.
- $400 million in 2021-22 to create a temporary Community Services Recovery Fund to help charities and nonprofits adapt and modernize so they can better support the economic recovery in our communities.
- Extension of the wage subsidy until September 25, 2021. It also proposes to gradually decrease the subsidy rate, beginning July 4, 2021, in order to ensure an orderly phase-out of the program as vaccinations are completed and the economy reopens.
- $17.6 billion towards a green recovery to create jobs, build a clean economy, and fight and protect against climate change. By investing in climate action now, we can create good middle class jobs today, and create a cleaner and safer future for the next generation.
- Budget 2021 also proposes to extend the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit an additional 4 weeks, to a maximum of 42 weeks, at $500 per week, in the event that caregiving options, particularly for those supporting children, are not sufficiently available in the interim as the economy begins to safely reopen.
- $15.4 million over two years, starting in 2021-22, to the Public Health Agency of Canada to work with partners to support the creation of a national autism strategy.
- $30 million over two years, starting in 2021-22, to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to fund pediatric cancer research that can lead to better outcomes and healthier lives for these young patients. The funding will support promising research projects with the greatest potential for fighting pediatric cancers.
- $25 million over five years, starting in 2021-22, to Health Canada for additional investments for research on diabetes (including in juvenile diabetes), surveillance, and prevention, and to work towards the development of a national framework for diabetes.
Support for Indigenous Communities:
- To support Indigenous Communities in the Fight Against COVID-19 an additional $760.8 million for the Indigenous Community Support Fund to help First Nations, Inuit, Métis Nation communities, and urban and off reserve Indigenous organizations serving Indigenous peoples meet the unique needs of their populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. This will provide funding to: prevent the spread of COVID-19; support elders and vulnerable community members; provide mental health assistance and emergency response services; address food insecurity; and support children.
- Improving Health Outcomes in Indigenous Communities, $1.4 billion over five years, beginning in 2021-22, and $40.6 million ongoing, to maintain essential health care services for First Nations and Inuit, continue work to transform First Nations health systems, and respond to the health impacts of climate change.
- Supporting Indigenous Children and Families, $1 billion over five years, starting in 2021-22, with $118.7 million ongoing to increase funding under the First Nations Child and Family Services Program.
- The government will also continue to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in developing their own child and family services models that reflect their values and traditions under the Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. Investments include $73.6 million over four years, starting in 2021-22, to support the implementation of the Act.
Investments related to combating racism:
- $11 million over two years, starting in 2021-22, to expand the impact of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation. This investment would allow the Canadian Race Relations Foundation to scale up efforts to empower racialized Canadians and help community groups combat racism in all its forms. This investment will also enable the foundation to facilitate initiatives like the establishment of a national coalition to support Asian Canadian communities, and create a fund to support all racialized communities directly impacted by increasing acts of racism during the pandemic. All Canadians should feel safe and be free of discrimination. Sadly, certain people are at risk of racially motivated violence, threatening their personal safety and the security of their communities.
- $2 million in 2021-22 to Public Safety Canada to enhance its Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program. This program helps protect communities at risk of hate-motivated crimes, by providing not-for-profit organizations such as places of worship, schools, and community cultural centres with funding to enhance their security infrastructure
- $200 million in 2021-22 to Employment and Social Development Canada to establish a new Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund. This fund would be led by Black Canadians and would create a sustainable source of funding, including for Black youth and social purpose organizations, and help combat anti-Black racism and improve social and economic outcomes in Black communities.
- $100 million in 2021-22 to the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative at Employment and Social Development Canada.
- $172 million over five years, starting in 2021-22, with $36.3 million ongoing, to Statistics Canada to implement a Disaggregated Data Action Plan that will fill data and knowledge gaps. This funding will support more representative data collection, enhance statistics on diverse populations, and support the government’s, and society’s, efforts to address systemic racism, gender gaps—including the power gaps between men and women—and bring fairness and inclusion considerations into decision making.