New charity says Canadian ‘kids aren’t all right’

Most Canadians think children in this country are doing well, but the founder of a new charity says that is a misconception.

“There seems to be a real disconnect, a real lack of public awareness about the way that kids in our country are struggling,” says Sara Austin, head of Children First Canada. The charity has produced a report on attitudes and the problems faced by Canadian children.

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Rich country, low rankings

When it comes to children’s overall well-being, Canada ranks 17^th among 29 wealthy countries, according to UNICEF’s global index. On specific criteria like poverty, health and safety Canada drops toward the bottom.

Statistics indicate one in five children live in poverty, one in three have experienced some form of abuse and one in five have considered suicide, says Austin.

Ordinary Canadians can help

She is calling on Canadians to raise awareness and to talk about the problem, to volunteer their time to charities that help children, to donate money to charities, and to pressure the government to take action.

The Canadian government should appoint an independent children’s commissioner, says Austin, adding that a commissioner could create a plan of action to improve things for children and it could hold the government accountable.

“It’s important for Canadians to understand that the situation is dire, that the needs of kids in our country are urgent.”