Mr. Speaker, yesterday was National Children's Day and the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
It also marked the anniversary of the motion of the House of Commons to eliminate child poverty by 2000. Fourteen years later, conditions remain unacceptable for Canada's children.
On poverty, Canada ranks 24th of 35 industrialized countries, with one in every seven Canadian children still struggling to have his or her basic needs met, 36% of food bank users being children, and 40% of all indigenous children living in poverty.
We all share the desire for the well-being of our children, the most universally cherished aspiration of humankind. Every child has the right to survive, develop, be protected from all forms of violence, and be protected from adverse economic conditions.
How will the government champion children's rights domestically and internationally, and keep the promise made to our children 25 years ago?