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.
Young people value kindness and honesty.
These negative trends run counter to the stated vision of the First Ministers for a National Children's Agenda that was released in May 1999, after two years of discussions. In spite of a consensus on a shared vision, Ottawa and the provinces seem to be making little progress towards a concrete agreement that will make a difference for Canada's children. Today, the CCSD urged Ottawa to declare its upcoming budget as a children and families budget. The CCSD also called on the premiers and territorial leaders to agree to an early deadline for conclusion of an agreement with the federal government. The CCSD is an independent, non-profit research institute dedicated to improving the social and economic security of Canadians.