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The Child Day Act of Canada
In 1993, the Government of Canada enacted Bill C-371,
otherwise known as the Child Day Act,
and designated November 20th of each year as a national day of the child
in order to promote awareness in Canada of the Convention.
National Child Day marks the day of the adoption of the
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. By
ratifying this Convention in 1991, Canada made a commitment to ensure
that all children are treated with dignity and respect. This commitment
includes that they be given the opportunity to have a voice, be
protected from harm and be provided with their basic needs and every
opportunity to reach their full potential.
The Convention on the Rights of the
Child is based on four cross-cutting principles:
1)
that the best interests of the child should
be the first consideration for actions that affect him or her;
2)
that all children have the right to life,
survival and development;
3)
that all children have the right to
participate;
4)
and that all rights belong to all children
without discrimination or exception.
Some
examples of rights are:
·
the right to have a voice in matters that
affect children;
·
the right to special education and care;
·
the right to play and rest;
·
the right to health;
·
and the right to special protection
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