Youth Rights in Canada

Julia MaisOCASI – the Ontario Council of Agencies

Serving Immigrants

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

The Convention details basic human rights that children everywhere have: the right to

survival; to develop to the fullest; to protection from harmful influences, abuse and

exploitation; and to participate fully in family, cultural and social life.

Education

Education

• Post-secondary education financially prohibitive

• Streaming in grade school system• Low E.S.L. graduation rates

Family Separation

Family Separation

• Unaccompanied minor unable to include parents and siblings in permanent residency applications

• Uneven sponsorship wait times across the world

• Children of Live-in Caregivers separated from family

Health

Health

• Mental and physical health needs• Interim Federal Health (IFH) cuts• OHIP three month wait period

Status

Status

• Bill C-31:“Making Canada's Asylum System Faster and Fairer”?– Immigrant and Refugee Board (IRB) hearings– Designated Countries of Origin– Irregular arrival provisions

Suggestions• Advocacy• Supporting colleagues in the sector• Collaboration between sectors• Youth specific settlement services• Recognizing context and diversity

Questions/CommentsJulia Mais

jmais@ocasi.org