Should Canada Create a National Strategy for Children and Youth?
Official title: Bill S-212, An Act respecting a national strategy for children and youth in Canada
Senator Rosemary Moodie has introduced a bill requiring the federal government to develop a national strategy for children and youth. The Senate committee is currently studying the proposal and hearing from witnesses. This would create a coordinated federal approach to issues affecting young Canadians.
Why This Matters
Got kids? This bill could reshape how the federal government addresses everything from child poverty to mental health services for youth. Right now, programs for children are scattered across departments with no unified plan. Parents, educators, and anyone who works with young people should pay attention.
What Could Change
If passed, the government would have to create a comprehensive national strategy specifically for children and youth. This could mean new coordination between federal departments, dedicated funding streams, and measurable targets for child well-being. The strategy would likely influence education, health, and social services policy for years.
Key Issues
- Should Canada have a unified national strategy for children and youth?
- How should federal programs for young Canadians be coordinated?
- What priorities should a national children's strategy address?
How to Participate
- Read the full text of Bill S-212 to understand what's being proposed.
- Review Senator Moodie's report From Vision to Reality: On a National Strategy for Children and Youth in Canada for background.
- Watch upcoming committee meetings where witnesses will testify on the bill.
- Contact the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology to request to appear as a witness or submit a brief.
Events
| Date | Event | Location | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 10, 2025 | Senate Committee Meeting 20 - Bill S-212 Study | — | Register → (opens in new tab) |