Progress 2000 tracks social and economic indicators in a number of areas affecting the lives of Canadian children at home, at school and in their neighbourhoods. Reported asthma rates among children and youth are growing. Smoking rates among teens are rising. The number of people reporting conflict between work and family life grew significantly throughout the 1990s. Two-thirds of Canadians report no improvement in their finances over the past 2 to 3 years.
Children are a noticeable part of the growing number of homeless.
Almost half of food bank users are under 18 years of age. Youth crime rates are declining. The majority of young teens feel safe at school most of the time. The infant mortality rate continues to fall. Breast feeding rates are climbing.