NDP statement for National Child Day 2024

NDP critic for Families, Children and Social development Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre) made the following statement:

“Today, we celebrate National Child Day.
On November 20, 1989, Canada adopted the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, committing to upholding the respect, dignity and full potential of all children. In the same year, Canada also unanimously passed an NDP motion to eliminate child poverty by the year 2000. Thanks to families and advocates, we’ve accomplished so much, but this government still has a long way to go to truly lift families out of poverty.
In 2020, in part because of the government’s pandemic benefits, Canada made unprecedented progress in child poverty reduction. However, when these benefits ended, rates of poverty swung back up. Not only are more children living in poverty, but the poverty gap is wider, and families are struggling more than ever before to make ends meet. My bill for a guaranteed, liveable basic income could have given these families relief—but the Liberals and Conservatives blocked it.
New Democrats are also deeply concerned about the growing attacks on 2SLGBTQAI+ kids. Policy restricting gender expression, gender affirming health care, and comprehensive sex and gender education are nothing less than attacks on children’s fundamental human rights. We are committed to continuing the fight to protect children from hate and build safe communities where they can grow and thrive.
New Democrats successfully pushed the government to create the National School Food Program to help combat child hunger. We also used our power in parliament to finally legislate affordable, quality, $10 a day childcare for all children, no matter the income of their family. We are now calling for the removal of the GST from children’s clothing and diapers to give families a break from the rising cost of living.
On National Child Day, and every day, New Democrats are committed to fighting to ensure every single child in Canada has their basic needs met, never goes hungry, and that their human rights are upheld."