UNICEF Canada | The Leading Charitable Organization for Children

Too many children live in poverty.

In Canada, a child is more likely to be poor than the average Canadian - despite our commitment to make children a priority in public policy.

UNICEF’s Report Card 10: Measuring Child Poverty is a wake-up call for Canadians. It reveals that 14% of Canadian children live in poverty, ranking Canada 24th of 35 industrialized countries. Allowing our children to fall far behind is simply unacceptable.

You can make a difference by writing to your Member of Parliament!

We have made it easy for you to send an e-letter to your MP. Ask them to put children first.

Take action and let everyone know that poverty is the one line we want our children to cross.

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Are we letting our children fall too far behind?  Is Canada doing all it can to protect children living in poverty?

In our country, a child is more likely to be poor than the average Canadian, even though we committed to make children a priority in public policy with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

UNICEF’s Report Card 10: Measuring Child Poverty is a wake-up call. It reveals that 14% of Canadian children live in poverty, ranking Canada 24th of 35 industrialized countries. Allowing our children to fall far behind is simply unacceptable.

We know how well a country is doing by its most vulnerable citizens.  As a citizen in your riding, I believe there is much you can do on Parliament Hill to put children first.

What should Canada do?
• Set an official definition of child poverty and adopt sound ways to measure it.
• Develop a federal strategy to eliminate poverty, with a focus on children.  
• Make children a priority in budget allocations and give them “first call” on the nation’s resources.
• Improve child benefits and tax credits to enable low-income families to keep more income.
• Support an independent National Commissioner for Children and Young Persons (Bill C-420).

UNICEF’s Report Card 10: Measuring Child Poverty illustrates that with the right policies and priorities, we can lift children out of poverty, even in challenging economic times. Please read the Canadian Companion at www.unicef.ca/irc10 to help develop your action plan.

Canada’s youngest citizens couldn’t vote for you, but your work in Ottawa will have an impact on their well-being. I look forward to hearing from you about what you will accomplish.

Thank you.

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