Politics is a playground with no children's voices

A commitment to the long-term welfare of children today is ultimately an investment in the future of Canada.

The Federal election campaign sometimes resembles a playground. But make no mistake—it’s where the kids aren’t.

The proof politicians are acting like children is evident in the name-calling, mud-slinging and schoolyard politics that mark life on the campaign trail. But, judging by the various party platforms, there’s really no one acting for children.

The political system (especially in an age of minority governments) doesn’t lend itself well to policy-making that requires a generation of implementation. That means short-term policies like boutique tax credits for kids’ gymnastics or environmentally friendly home renovations have become the focus for parties trying to win seats in the House of Commons.

But, a commitment to the long-term welfare of children today is ultimately an investment in the future of Canada. As a first step towards ensuring that outlook is bright, we need someone in Ottawa to oversee the playground and advocate for the next generation of voters.

Back in Nov. 1989, the government seemed willing to act on behalf of children. Canada ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. And, Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution vowing to eradicate child poverty in Canada by 2000.

Little has changed in more than two decades. In 1989, 15.3 per cent of Canadian children lived below Statistics Canada’s pre-tax, low-income cut-off (LICO), the standard measure of poverty in Canada. According to 2008 data, after a period of unprecedented growth in the economy, that number had fallen by just one percentage point to 14.2 per cent.

Keep in mind, the 2008 figure doesn’t take into account the recession.

While child poverty rarely makes election platforms, it has an impact on a variety of issues that rank high on voter priority lists.

Take healthcare, for example. According to Nanos Research’s three-day rolling poll, Canadians rank health care as their most important issue of national concern, just edging out jobs and economy.

“[P]overty—in particular, child poverty...We would frame it as a public health issue,” testified Dr. Andrew Lynk of the Canadian Paediatric Society in a 2010 report on reducing poverty in Canada by a Parliamentary committee.

Low-income children are more likely to have low birth rates, suffer from type two diabetes and live with a disability. As a result, a study by the Ontario Association of Food Banks found that the poorest 20 per cent of Canadians account for more than 30 per cent of publicly-funded health care expenditures.

Twenty-two years ago, had these individuals been supported by policies that lifted them out of poverty, the health care system would have seen an estimated savings of $7.6 billion annually.

The Standing Committee also heard how child poverty hobbles the justice system, education system and the economy. But tackling child poverty is not a politically popular move in this country. Kids don’t vote, and children’s issues rarely win votes. Meanwhile, in a country facing its fourth election in seven years, long-term systematic change is not a priority.

That’s why there needs to be an independent voice advocating for children and the future they will inherit.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child called for an Ombudsman to be established to make sure the government complied with the charter. Canada never got around to appointing one—judging by the success of these officials in other nations, we missed an opportunity.

In Spain and Greece, child ombudsmen aggressively took up the issue of unaccompanied minors (children under 18 who immigrate or claim refugee status alone) by fighting for provisions to support them. In Norway, the independent official lobbied the government to better support autistic children and their families.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s Ombudsman for Children releases an annual report (much like the Auditor General) detailing where children’s issues have been missed in government policies, and how the country can do better.

Each independent official is judged not by the policies they enact, but the healthy citizenry they bring into the future. Children are the only Canadian citizens without representation in government. By ensuring their issues are heard, an ombudsman can ensure their country’s long-term vision is realized.

Canada may be stuck in minority territory for years to come. But, we cannot afford to ignore future generations. So, we need someone in Ottawa who can distinguish childish noise from children’s voices, and ensure the next generation is accounted for in policies.