Child & Youth Rights

The UN Convention of the Rights of the Child

First Call’s work is focused on a rights-based approach. In 1991 Canada ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). In signing the document, Canada agreed that children and youth have a right to “protection, provision, and participation.” We agreed that as a nation, Canada would work to translate that document into action.

First Call is committed to ensuring that Canada and BC live up to the UNCRC and that all decisions are made through the lens of children’s rights.

We follow and monitor public policy on a range topics that directly impact children’s rights including

  • reducing child and family poverty;
  • strengthening employment standards for children and youth who are working;
  • ensuring children and youth have access to timely services; and
  • repealing the federal law that allows for the corporeal punishment of children.