For decades, First Nations have called for Canada to respect the sacredness of their children and youth by upholding the best interests of the child, substantive equality and cultural continuity. This call has been echoed in numerous reports including, but not limited to, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (1996), the Joint National Policy Review (2000), the Wen: De Reports (2005), the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2005), A Roadmap to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action #66 (2018) and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019).
In June 2020, Bill S-217 (now S-210) was introduced by Senator Rosemary Moodie for the creation of an Office of the Commissioner for Children and Youth in Canada. The Bill proposes the establishment of an appointed Commissioner for Children and Youth to promote, monitor and report on the implementation of Canada’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.2 The Bill also proposes the creation of an Assistant Commissioner, which the Commissioner must consider appointing for the purpose of ensuring focus on matters related to First Nations, Metis and Inuit children and youth.
