The Fund the Child Coalition is currently drafting a complaint to the United Nations regarding Canada’s potential violation of the “Convention on the Rights of the Child”. The Swedish parent’s group, “A Child’s Right to their Parent’s Time” has already done so, and they have invited us to join them in this cause.
Our goal is to protect the rights of our children from the policies imposed on us by our own Canadian government. The following are examples of the principles of this Convention that we believe Paul Martin’s National Childcare Program violates. We ask each of you to decide which of these principles you feel the National Childcare Program most strongly violates- your thoughts are welcome:
From the Articles of the Convention:
From Article 2:
Parties {who have signed} shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that the child is protected against all forms of discrimination or punishment on the basis of the status, activities, expressed opinions, or beliefs of the child’s parents, legal guardians, or family members.
From Article 3:
In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.
From Article 7:
The child shall be registered immediately after birth and shall have the right from birth to a name, the right to acquire a nationality and, as far as possible, their right to know and be cared for by his or her parents.
From Article 14:
Parties (who have signed) shall respect the rights and duties of the parents and, when applicable, legal guardians, to provide direction to the child in the exercise of his or her right in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child.
From Article 18:
Parties (who have signed) shall use their best efforts to ensure recognition of the principle that both parents have common responsibilities for the upbringing and development of the child. Parents or, as the case may be, legal guardians, have the primary responsibility for the upbringing and development of the child. The best interests of the child will be their basic concern.
Tell other Canadians about this formal complaint, look for media coverage of it in the New Year, and keep the debate going for the sake of our children.
See also this Kids First update
kidsfirstcanada.org 