Participants said that the proposed national goals are consistent with other goal setting, policy and strategic planning activities currently underway in the provinces and territories. Although participants thought it was important that the vision and goals be broad and idealistic, they were aware of the difficulties inherent in making these kinds of statements operational. Objectives setting should follow the development of goals, and the objectives should be set at the provincial or territorial level and targets should be set by the community. A number of suggestions were made for editing and word changes to the Vision document. Participants were eager to ensure that young people have a voice in decisions that relate to their well-being.
Young people are articulate and ready to become involved.
Participants were clear that meaningful youth involvement will not occur unless institutional structures and policies demand it, and until there is greater trust and more open communication between youth and adults and youth and bureaucracies. The Need to Emphasize Equity and the Impact of Poverty Participants across the country expressed concern about the impact of poverty on child and youth health. There was agreement that poverty is not just a lack of money. Poverty, unemployment and economic insecurity threatens the social, emotional and spiritual health of families and communities and denies equal life chances to children. Meeting the basic needs of poor families, particularly Aboriginal families, and preventing modest income families from slipping into poverty was considered a top priority for policy action.