Report calls for Canadian governments to act in order to help kids across the country

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – On what is being called ‘National Child Day’ a group of researchers is out with a list of issues facing kids around the country and a call to action to help.

Children’s First Canada is out with a report outlining problems our children are facing from coast to coast.

The group is also calling on governments to look at the Canadian Children’s Charter in order to address the issues.

Some of the main areas where we could be doing better when it relates to childhood obesity, abuse, poverty and other problems related to mental health.

“Whether it is close to home in your city or across the province, kids are facing daily threats to their survival and their ability to achieve their full potential. They are in urgent need of our support,” said Sara Austin, from the University of Calgary, one of the researchers on this project.

Austin relayed that many of the problems that many kids face in Canada can have lasting repercussions.

“It also makes them much more likely to develop chronic diseases to their physical health as well as their mental health, so it’s really important that we intervene early,” she said. “When kids face early adversity in life, whether that has to do with poverty or abuse, that is a type of trauma that they experience. It causes toxic stress that can affect their immediate well-being but it also affects their lifetime outcomes for their health and well-being.”

She says kids from different backgrounds around the country were asked what they wanted to improve on those areas.

“They expect better and they are willing to work towards it, but they also want us, as adults, to do our part. Whether as parents, as community leaders, or our government to really step up and do our part in investing in kid’s potential.”

Austin noted a UNICEF report that ranks Canada 25th out of 41 wealthy countries when it comes to kid’s well-being.

She believes that is not good enough and that is why a children’s charter should be looked at by our government.

“We are far from being a world leading country for kids. It’s time that our leaders in government take action, that they actually invest in evidence-based solutions for children.”

Prime Minister Trudeau made mention of the Charter in his annual Statement on National Child Day:

“This year, we also welcome the release of the Canadian Children’s Charter. A year in the making, the Children’s Charter is a plan of action – created for children, by children – to respect, protect, and fulfill the rights of children. I look forward to reading the final version of the Children’s Charter, and have no doubt it will benefit young people across Canada for generations to come.”

With files from Sandra Prusina

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