- Progressive public policies that ensure social welfare, education and housing are directly linked to vibrant communities and better health outcomes (First Call, 2005).
- Young people that feel connected, valued and engaged are less likely to become involved in risky behaviours and are more likely to be resilient and become involved in their communities. Yet BC has seen the weakening of some important youth resources, including reduced training and learning opportunities and the introduction of a “training wage” of $6 an hour (First Call, 2005).
- In Canada, it is legal for parents and teachers to assault children in the name of correction (Repeal 43 Committee, 2007).
- Fewer than 50% of students always feel safe at school (McCreary Adolescent Healthy Survey III, 2003).
- Internet safety is an emerging issue, especially for girls. Almost one in four girls has been in contact with a stranger on the internet who made her feel unsafe (McCreary Adolescent Healthy Survey III, 2003).
- 70% of working children aged 12-14 report that they work without supervision some or all of the time (CCPA 2005).
- 58% of children surveyed reported that their employer did not receive written permission from their parents as required by the Employment Standards Act (CCPA 2005).
- BC provides less protection to child workers than other provinces, and the 2003 changes to the Employment Standards Act affecting the minimum working age are in violation of the International Labour Organization’s Convention on the Minimum Age (CCPA 2005).
- In BC, children and youth are allowed to work up to 35 hours a week in school districts with a four day week (CCPA 2005).
- Many parents believe that they have no role in evaluating the safety of their child’s workplace (CCPA 2005).
- Concerns about neighbourhood safety increase as income decreases below $40,000 household income. Concerns about neighbourhood problems like drugs, excessive drinking, and violence increase as income decreases below $30,000 household income (Canadian Council on Social Development, 1999).
- Lower-income children are less likely than children from high-income families to participate in informal, unorganized sports. For urban children this reflects, in part, the lack of suitable play spaces (Canadian Council on Social Development, 1999).
- The most commonly cited reason for discrimination reported by B. C. youths in Grades 7-12 is physical appearance (1/4 of youths). Others are age (approx. 20%), gender (26% girls, 7% boys), race/skin colour (10%), religion (7%), and sexual orientation (3-4%) (McCreary Adolescent Health Survey, 1999).
