Another year of discussion and debate about kids has passed. We've seen some improvements in learning outcomes and physical safety in the 1990s. Of the nine broad areas examined by the Council in this year's Progress report, more than half show negative or mixed trend lines. The number of poor Canadian children is growing and their lives are getting worse. Income disparities between poor and rich kids are growing.
Poor children have fewer opportunities than in past years.
Children living with single parents are at greater risk of having mental health and learning problems. Teen pregnancy rates are increasing. Some youth are becoming sexually active at a younger age. Develop a coherent, long-term and adequately financed approach to health care. It's no longer good enough simply to talk about children.