Canada’s Reports

The Canadian Government’s most recent report on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (its combined third and fourth reports) was submitted to the Committee on the Rights of the Child on  20 November 2009. Alternative reports by Canadian civil society organizations and provincial child and youth advocates are in progress, due 1 November 2011. Canada’s hearings with the Committee are scheduled for February (presessional) and June, 2012.

Canada made the following qualifications upon ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child:

Reservations:

Article 21
"With a view to ensuring full respect for the purposes and intent of article 20 (3) and article 30 of the Convention, the Government of Canada reserves the right not to apply the provisions of article 21 to the extent that they may be inconsistent with customary forms of care among aboriginal peoples in Canada."
Article 37 (c)
"The Government of Canada accepts the general principles of article 37 (c) of the Convention, but reserves the right not to detain children separately from adults where this is not appropriate or feasible."

Statement of understanding:

Article 30
"It is the understanding of the Government of Canada that, in matters relating to aboriginal peoples of Canada, the fulfilment of its responsibilities under article 4 of the Convention must take into account the provisions of article 30.  In particular, in assessing what measures are appropriate to implement the rights recognized in the Convention for aboriginal children, due regard must be paid to not denying their right, in community with other members of their group, to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practice their own religion and to use their own language."