“Today is World Children’s Day. Each year on this day, we mark the anniversary of two historic events that shaped children’s rights. In 1959 and 1989, the United Nations adopted the Declaration on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. These agreements set out the rights of children here in Ontario, and all around the world. They guarantee their right to education, to be protected and cared for, and to grow up free from violence, discrimination and exploitation.
Our government is working hard to uphold and advance these rights so all children in Ontario feel safe and supported. That means offering services and supports to champion things like safe and healthy homes, access to education and opportunities, and giving children a voice that is heard and respected. We want to help every child in Ontario feel empowered to achieve their goals, and to make that a reality, our government is actively taking steps to address child abuse, systemic racism and human trafficking.
Earlier this year, our government announced changes to transform Ontario’s child welfare system, so all children can receive high quality services and supports and have the opportunity to thrive. We recently released Ontario’s Quality Standards Framework, a resource guide to improve the quality of care for children in licensed residential settings. We also developed the Children and Young Person’s Rights Resource, an online tool written in child-friendly language that helps children and youth receiving care better understand their rights.
We are taking strong action against child sexual exploitation with our Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy. Our five-year, $307 million plan will increase community-based services and supports for young victims of human trafficking and raise public awareness to help prevent this heinous crime and protect children and youth.
And we are creating more opportunities for children and youth to succeed. The Premier’s Council on Equality of Opportunity, chaired by our Advocate for Community Opportunities, Jamil Jivani, is engaging with communities and providing advice on actions our government can take to remove barriers and support youth in achieving their economic and career goals.
We are also doubling our investment in Ontario’s Black Youth Action Plan, providing $60 million over three years to support Black children, youth and families. This investment will provide economic-focused support to Black youth, businesses and communities and help remove barriers so all children and youth can fully participate in our economy.
Our government also supports children and underrepresented youth through programs such as the Youth Opportunities Fund. This fund provides grants to community-driven, youth-focused projects that address issues affecting young people such as access to training and employment, transitioning out of care or the youth justice system, empowering girls and young women to lead and creating spaces for Black and Indigenous youth to build strong community and cultural connections.
On this World Children’s Day, we reaffirm our government’s dedication to keeping children and young people at the heart of everything we do. Their safety, health and well-being are always a top priority.
Children are the future of our province. We have a responsibility to protect their rights and give them the tools they need to grow into active, engaged citizens. Together, we can continue building an Ontario where all children and young people can succeed and realize their dreams.”