Every child deserves the right to be safe, to live with dignity and respect and have the opportunity to reach their full potential – this was the message of National Child Day, celebrated yesterday in Canada. We believe people support this and expect this and are saddened by the fact that for some children in this first world nation, the ideal is not a reality.
Federally, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development recognized National Child Day by speaking to the Canadian government’s Canada Child Benefit and the assistance the program provides to parents with the cost of raising children. “It will lift almost 300,000 children out of poverty,” MP Jean-Yves Duclos stated. He also spoke of the important benefits of early learning opportunities for children and high-quality, affordable, accessible child care options.
But quite possibly the most important thing Duclos said in the National Child Day statement yesterday related the responsibility of our society as a whole in ensuring the wellbeing of our children: “Together, let’s ensure that all children have a voice, live in dignity, and respect and have an equal opportunity to succeed in life.”
Provincially, Children’s Services Minister Danielle Larivee said the theme of the day “reminds us of the importance of making life better for children in need of safety and protection.”
For years, we have heard the words “it takes a village to raise a child” – these words are as true today as they ever have been. We suppose there’s a few interpretations of this ideal, but we like to think it’s about creating a community that places safety and protection of its children front and centre. An environment that celebrates, nurtures and protects children and recognizes they are mankind’s future is something we all have a role in building.
