Policy and Advocacy for Children and Youth

UNICEF’s POLICY AND ADVOCACY WORK IN CANADA

UNICEF Canada works apolitically to advance children’s rights and well-being. We work with all levels of government, a range of organizations, young people and other influencers and champions to promote public policy that protects every child’s right to a childhood. 

UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advance the human rights of children as enduring ethical principles and standards, and to ensure a “first call for children” in their societies. The Convention on the Rights of the Child provides a comprehensive framework of the conditions children need for a good childhood. The Convention also outlines the obligations that governments have to fulfil. Using the Convention as a guide to develop policies, laws, programs, services, administrative procedures and other decisions and actions leads to better outcomes for children. 

BETTER PUBLIC POLICIES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

What policies would move the needle toward fulfilling the right to a childhood for every child in Canada? Many efforts are needed, from better breastfeeding support to more free play. 

UNICEF Canada is advancing policies that help governments make children visible and give them higher priority. We drive policies that will do the most to get every child off to the best start in life, and provide every youth with opportunities to reach their full potential.

Access resources for rights

These resources support young people and their advocates and decision-makers to know and secure their universal human rights. 

• The Child-Friendly Children’s Rights Booklet (Accessible)
• The Children’s Rights video

Sign up to receive UNICEF Canada’s youth advocacy newsletter, along with regular updates on how you can join us to achieve results for every child.

Selected UNICEF Canada Policy Briefs 

1. UNICEF Canada Policy Brief: Marketing To Children of Unhealthy Food and Drink 
2. UNICEF Canada Policy Brief: Healthy School Meals 
3. UNICEF Canada Policy Brief: Canada Child Benefit Supplement
4. UNICEF Canada Policy Brief: Parental Leave Reform
5. UNICEF Canada Policy Brief: Lowering the Voting Age
6. UNICEF Canada Policy Brief: Bill C-63 (Online Harms)
7. UNICEF Canada Policy Brief: Bill C-71 (Fair and Equitable Citizenship for Children of Canadians)
8. UNICEF Canada Policy Brief: Bill C-273 (An Act to Amend the Criminal Code)
9. UNICEF Canada Submission: Bill S-282 (National Child and Youth Strategy)
10. UNICEF Canada Federal Pre-Budget (2025) Submission August 2024
11. UNICEF Canada response to Health Canada consultation on the Regulatory Modernization of Foods for Special Dietary Use and Infant Food
12. UNICEF Canada Submission: Children’s Health Study (HESA Committee)
13. UNICEF Canada Submission: Statistics Canada Review of the Market Basket Measure