A Question of Commitment: Children's Rights in Canada.

Michael Ungar is an associate professor at the Maritime School of Social
Work, Dalhousie University, and a marriage and family therapist
specializing in work with high-risk youth. He is the author of Nurturing
Hidden Resilience in Troubled Youth.

In 1991, Canada ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). A Question of Commitment examines, from many different vantage points, progress made in different arenas with regard to demonstrating respect for children’s rights in Canada. The foreword by Landon Pearson is a fitting tribute to a volume that has brought together the foremost Canadian academics for comment on this topic. From Martha Friendly’s chapter on child care, to Anne McGillivray’s look at child sexual abuse and exploitation, this book explores topics that affect children’s lives: corporal punishment, youth justice, a child’s right to health care, and rights education. All these topics get excellent attention in this well-edited volume.

The overall message, however, is one of unrealized potential. Government changes and provincial inconsistencies have led to a patchwork of rights and continuing high rates of problems facing children. As perceived leaders in the world in this area, and decades ahead of our southern neighbour, Canada could be doing even more to merit its reputation. The message in Howe and Covell’s volume is that while many gains are noteworthy, our commitment is not “deep.” For students and academics, even politicians looking for an insightful summary of the state of Canada’s integration of the CRC’s principles, this book provides a landmark document. Its hopeful tone is appreciated at a time when we need consistency across political parties, recognition for the gains made, and encouragement to do even more, no matter which political direction we head.