It’s time to invest in our children: Senator Moodie – SenCanada

October 21, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed deep flaws in our social policy. The most vulnerable among us have borne the brunt of the health, economic and social crisis. This includes Canadian children who have seen their situations worsen, in the face of an existing crisis of their well-being before the pandemic.

Canadians would be surprised to know how poorly our children are doing. UNICEF Canada’s recent report card found that, out of 38 rich countries, Canada ranks 30th overall for our kids’ well-being. We also receive failing grades for mental health and happiness (31st), and physical health and survival (30th).

The pandemic, obviously, has not helped. According to the report, Raising Canada 2020: Ringing the Alarm for Canada’s Children, by Children’s First Canada, 57% of respondents in the study said their mental health was worse than before the outbreak.