Unveiling the CBA Child Rights Toolkit: A Child Rights Framework
The Canadian Bar Association, as part of its Reaching Equal Justice initiatives, recognized that while adults face access to justice challenges that are significant and difficult to remedy, these problems are amplified for young people, especially vulnerable, high risk and marginalized children and youth.
Young people have broad legal entitlements under domestic and international law, and in particular under the Charter and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, designed to ensure their overall well-being. Yet legal education about these rights has been limited and there is a lack of user-friendly resources available to assist.
The CBA national Children’s Law Committee has collaborated with lawyers and other professionals across Canada to create a comprehensive Child Rights Toolkit. We are pleased to introduce it in collaboration with young people who will discuss why child rights matter to them. The Toolkit provides a framework for analysis over many areas of law, and focuses on practical suggestions for legal professionals that can be incorporated into their day to day work.
Why Child Rights Matter — Young People’s Perspectives
Yu-Han (Linda) Chen — Founder of the Little Lantern Cultural and Heritage Society & adult ally of Fresh Voices Initiative, Vancouver
Cheyenne Stonechild — International Institute for Child Rights and Development (IICRD), Vancouver
Addressing Child Rights through the CBA Online Toolkit
The Honourable Donna J. Martinson, QC — Retired Justice of the Supreme Court of BC, Vancouver
Dale Hensley, QC — Barrister & Solicitor, Former ED and Senior Counsel — Children’s Legal & Educational Resource Centre, Calgary
Caterina E. Tempesta — Ministry of Attorney General, Office of the Children’s Lawyer, Toronto
Suzanne S. Williams — Brown Henderson Melbye, International Institute for Child Rights and Development (IICRD), Victoria
Why Access to Justice for Children Matters
The Honourable Chief Justice Robert J. Bauman — Court of Appeal for BC, Vancouver
The Honourable Chief Judge Thomas J. Crabtree — Provincial Court of BC, Vancouver
D. Wayne Robertson, QC — Law Foundation of British Columbia, Vancouver
Michael F. Welsh — President, CBABC, Mott Welsh & Associates, Penticton