Global Matrix 3.0: Report urges recognition of childhood physical activity as a global health priority

On November 26, the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance released the Global Matrix 3.0 – the most comprehensive comparison of child and youth physical activity across the globe.

This year marks the third iteration of this robust global comparison. The Global Matrix 3.0 compares 49 countries from six continents to assess global trends in childhood physical activity 3 in developed and developing nations. ParticipACTION is once again thrilled to contribute to this global initiative by providing Canadian-specific data.

Want to know how Canada stacks up to the rest of the world? Please visit https://www.participaction.com/en-ca/resources/global-matrix to view the full global comparison of all 49 nations, including the individual reports cards of each participating country.

Children First Canada: National Child Day Forum recap

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Source: Children First Canada

The National Child Day Forum Tuesday at Telus Harbour in Toronto was an amazing event. Nearly 50 youth aged 11-17 came together to discuss issues of child health and wellbeing and the newly finalized Canadian Children's Charter. Over lunch, these youth delegates were charged with sitting with the adult guests and sharing their thoughts.

For many, it was the first time that adults were asking the youth for their opinion on issues that really matter to them.

Much of the discussion was around the finalized CANADIAN CHILDREN'S CHARTER, presented on Tuesday. In fact, Justin Trudeau, in his National Child Day message to Canadians made particular note of the Canadian Children's Charter. It is a tribute to the children and youth who have spent the last year developing this Charter to raise awareness of what they need to thrive in Canada.

Children First Canada and the O'Brien Institute for Public Health also released a second report with Economic Commentary on Raising Canada. This report puts forward a clear and urgent case for investing in children. 

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Last year in Ottawa, Mme Sophie Gregoire Trudeau was moved by the work of Canada's children and youth to create the Canadian Children's Charter. This year, she presented a message of empowerment to the children and youth delegates, and the adults. CLICK HERE

The panel was amazing. Moderated by Lisa LaFlamme, CTV News Anchor and a member of the Children First Canada Council of Champions, the panel discussion was both enlightening and challenging. Josh Blair, Executive Vice-President of TELUS Health, Rhiannon Traill, CEO of the Economic Club of Canada, along with two of our youth hosts, Roman Wolfli and Arielle Lok. spoke from the heart about why, how and what we need to do in Canada to ensure our children are supported.

The day ended with three of the youth hosts putting out a Call to Action:

1.  The establishment of the Children's Commissioner
2.  The publishing of a Children's Budget
3.  The adoption of the Canadian Children's Charter.

It was an amazing day - with wonderful ideas from the children and youth to make Canada the best place for kids to grow up. For more, visit Children First Canada.

[ONTARIO] Position on Education Reform: Provide Your Voice

The Government of Ontario is currently hosting public consultations on a number of key educational components, including the content of the Health and Physical Education curriculum, approaches to health-related topics in the classroom, parent engagement, and physical activity policy. As part of the provincial consultation process educators, parents, students, and stakeholders are invited to provide feedback until December 15, 2018.

Ophea and OASPHE have responded through the Government of Ontario’s consultation process and invite those seeking support in articulating their perspective to reference messaging from Ophea’s response (this response only includes the health-related questions).

Ophea strongly encourages Ontarians to participate in the single largest consultation on the single largest health promotion intervention this province has ever seen.

Now is the time to make your voice heard #forthestudents #fortheparents.

Ontario’s Young People deserve an Advocate's Office

By Alyssa Frampton and Parnian Pardis of the Young Canadians Roundtable on Health


On Thursday, November 15th, the Ford Ontario Government chose to axe the Ontario Children and Youth Advocate’s Office. Young people always deserve protection of their rights and their safety, regardless of who holds the government power, and this decision by the Ontario Government has put that protection at risk. This choice comes as a part of Premier Ford’s economic statement and attempt to reduce Ontario’s deficits. What this really is, is an indication that reduced spending is prioritized above the welfare of young people and their rights.

In 1978, Ontario became the first province in Canada to have a child advocacy office. There are now offices across the country. The Young Canadians Roundtable on Health has had the privilege of working with many of these offices in some regard – learning from them about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). These offices are guided by the UNCRC and provide services to young people, especially those who are part of the child welfare or youth justice systems.

Why Ontario Needs a Child and Youth Advocate

While the Advocate’s office has decided to continue to provide services until further notice, we still need to rise up and vocalize the importance of funding this office. In Canada’s largest province, with some of the highest suicide rates and heightened numbers of children in care and justice systems, advocates who give young people a chance and an office that amplifies child and youth voices is necessary.

Children and youth who are in care or justice systems are especially vulnerable to having their rights abused or infringed on. The Advocate’s office helps young people who are often in the most vulnerable positions, out of view from the general public. They administer checks on the provision of government care, and advocate for increased access to rights and justice.

Essentially, the Advocate’s office acts as Ontario’s government watchdog for children. A lot of effort went into making this office independent of the government so that it could work without conflicts of interest to ensure the best possible advocacy for young people in Ontario. By axing the office, the ministry becomes solely responsible for child and youth advocacy. Despite Minister MacLeod (Minister of Children, Community and Social Services/Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues) declaring she will be the advocate, young people will no longer receive the same attention. Minister MacLeod cannot possibly answer the phone and hold the hands of the young people who need help the way that the advocacy office has. Consequently, the voice of young people will no doubt become underrepresented, while the actions of the government will go without an official check which the Advocate’s office provides.

What Can You Do

The Advocate’s office has been a long standing friend and support of the YCRH, working closely with us in looking at the rights of youth in Ontario with regards to health. We also have invited Irwin Elman to speak at panels, and to partner with us. We appreciate and recognize the work of this office and the importance of it continuing to not just uphold the rights of children and youth but in its work to include youth voice in all that they do. If you agree with the values of the advocacy office, please get involved and ensure your voice is heard!

Contact your MPP and share why you think this decision needs to be reversed: 
Kanata-Carleton: 613-599-3000
Ottawa Centre: 613-722-6414
Ottawa South: 613-736-9573
Ottawa West-Nepean: 613-721-8075
Orleans: 613-834-8679
Ottawa-Vanier: 613-744-4484
Nepean (Minister MacLeod’s Riding): 613-823-2116 / 416-325-5225

Thank you to Dhilal Alhaboob for this list. You can find all MPPs here: https://www.ola.org/en/members/current

This post originally appeared on YouthHealthRights.ca.

4th Annual BC Pediatric Diabetes Day: February 1-2

Feb 1 -2 (Friday-Saturday) | Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue | Vancouver BC

Target audience: pediatricians, specialists caring for children and youth with diabetes, diabetes educators, social workers, pharmacists, and dietitians.

Highlights

  • New larger venue, interesting plenary sessions and lots of small interactive workshops

  • Two breakout sessions designed to address the Nursing Supportive Services educational needs

  • Focus on addressing new treatment approaches, new technology and continuing to develop a standardized pediatric diabetes care across the province

For more information and to register, visit UBC Continuing Professional Development.