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Review of Canada's Second Report on the Convention on the Rights of the Child

Canada will appear before the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child on September 17, 2003, to discuss its second report on its implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child

The United Nations General Assembly opened the Convention on the Rights of the Child for signature on November 20, 1989, and Canada ratified it on December 13, 1991. The Convention, based on the principle of the "best interests of the child," recognizes the civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights of people under 18 years of age. As a testament to the importance of children's issues within the international community, this UN Convention has received more state signatures and support than any other.

Canada's reports on the Convention

In Canada, implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child is a shared responsibility of the federal, provincial and territorial governments. Each report is prepared under the auspices of the Continuing Committee of Officials on Human Rights, which includes representatives from all jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction prepares its own submission, in accordance with guidelines issued by the UN Committee and all sections are joined to form Canada's report. Canada presented its initial report in 1994 and the second was submitted in April 2001.

The role of the Committee on the Rights of the Child

The Committee on the Rights of the Child is an international body appointed by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and charged with reviewing the measures taken by signatory states to honour their obligations under the Convention.

On September 17, in accordance with general practices and procedures, Canada will provide the Committee with an update on the measures being taken to honour Canada's obligations to promote and protect the rights of the child. The Committee will ask questions of the Canadian delegation and engage in dialogue on issues affecting children in this country, after which the Committee will issue a report including observations and suggested actions for the future.

Documents regarding the review, including Canada's report, can be found at (http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/pdp-hrp/docs/crc_e.cfm). Additional information will be provided as available.