'Not alright': children's advocate says new report reveals worsening living standards for Canadian kids
Quality of life for Canadian kids is getting worse by some counts, according to the sixth annual 'Raising Canada' report.
The 2022 report was authored by researchers from the University of Calgary, McGill University and the University of Toronto, as well as the children's advocacy group Children First Canada.
"One of the overarching messages of the report is that the kids are not alright," said Sara Austin, founder and CEO of Children First Canada.
It identified the following as the top 10 threats to childhood in Canada:
- Unintentional and preventable injuries;
- Poor mental health;
- Violence against children and youth;
- Vaccine-preventable illnesses;
- Systemic racism and discrimination;
- Poverty;
- Infant mortality;
- Bullying;
- Limited physical activity and play; and
- Climate change.
Leaders with Children First Canada say all of the items on the list are interconnected.
"We cannot look at these things in isolation," said Austin. "It requires a holistic view of what is happening in the lives our children and we need to see a holistic plan by our province and our federal leaders to tackle these issues."
FOOD INSECURITY
Access to food is an increasing concern with food insecurity among young people rising by 29 per cent.
"Kids are going to school hungry and that means they are not able to learn and achieve their full potential. It's concerning that in a country and a province as prosperous and wealthy as we are, that are kids are falling so far behind," said Austin.
Leaders with Brown Bagging for Calgary's Kids say they are in high demand to provide meals for Calgary students with the return of the school year, saying they are on track to provide lunches for 6,500 kids every school day, up 20 per cent from last school year.
"It's easy for that to feel so overwhelming, so I want to feel hope about that. I want to feel like this is something that we can do something about -- that governments and community can all come together," said Bethany Ross, executive director for the organization.
Ross also says awareness is important, especially as the issue faces more and more Canadian children.
CALLS TO ACTION
A news release sent Tuesday outlines specific calls to action, that were "endorsed by Children First Canada's Council of Champions, and developed with the input of children and youth from the Young Canadians' Parliament."
It suggests federal leaders do the following to improve quality of life for Canadian Children:
- Lead for and with kids: Establish a federal commissioner for children and youth, develop a national strategy for children and youth, and develop a national data strategy on the health and well-being of young Canadians.
- Invest in kids: Launch a catalytic investment fund for children over the next four years and publish a children's budget.
- Raise them with rights: Support child rights education and provide children and youth with a platform to exercise their rights as leaders of today and tomorrow.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Hackers release corporate data stolen from London Drugs
Retailer London Drugs says cybercriminals who stole files from its corporate head office last month have released some of the data after it refused to pay a ransom.
Toronto man falls off his chair after seeing $70M Lotto Max win in his bank account
A Toronto man who won $70 million in a recent Lotto Max draw literally fell off his chair when he saw the funds in his bank account.
Montreal-area high school students protest 'sexist' dress code
Approximately 50 Montreal-area students — the vast majority of them female — were suspended Wednesday after their school deemed the shorts they were wearing were too short. On Thursday, several students staged a walk-out to protest what they believe is a "sexist" dress code that unfairly targets girls.
'Looking over our shoulders': A killing looms large in a little B.C. town
Something shifted in the pretty little village of Lumby, B.C., after Tatjana Stefanski vanished. It used to be the sort of place where parents let their kids roam free or play in the local creek, but everything has changed.
Luxury beauty brand Clarins to pull out of Hudson's Bay stores in Canada
French luxury makeup and skincare brand Clarins is pulling out of Hudson's Bay stores in Canada.
Tim Meadows pledges not to shave until the Oilers win the cup, who are the team's other famous fans?
An unlikely celebrity emerged from social media to cheer on the Edmonton Oilers as they face the Dallas Stars tonight in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
American Airlines retreats after blaming a 9-year-old for not seeing a hidden camera in a lavatory
American Airlines has distanced itself from a court filing in which the carrier said a nine-year-old girl should have noticed there was a camera taped to the seat of an airplane lavatory.
'It's over': Minister says B.C.'s decision on Surrey police transition upheld in court
The B.C. Supreme Court has ruled in the provincial government's favour on the City of Surrey's legal challenge to its ongoing transition to a municipal police force, according to B.C. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth.
Public to get rare look at Canadian treasures housed by Library and Archives Canada
Members of the public will get a rare look at precious Canadian artifacts when Library and Archives Canada (LAC) hosts an open house this weekend.