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December 9, 1997
Speaking Notes
for Katherine Scott,
Senior Policy and Research Associate
at the Canadian Council on Social Development,
at a news conference to launch
The Progress of Canada's Children 1997,
December 9, 1997, 10 a.m.,
Room 130 S, Centre Block, House of Commons, Ottawa
Good morning.
This edition of The Progress of Canada's Children builds on the profile of kids that we assembled last year. This year,
we're also presenting data that allows us to look at some trends in child well-being between 1994 and 1995.
Twelve months ago, we raised the alarm bell about the potential consequences of de-investing in public services for
children and their families, such as health, education and social services. This year, we would sound the alarm bell
even louder.
Here's why.
Family security weakened between 1994 and 1995 because average family incomes dropped. As Campaign 2000
reported a few weeks ago, child poverty increased significantly between those two years.
At the same time, demands on child welfare agencies increased. But the agencies report stagnant or declining
budgets. These are the same agencies serving our most vulnerable and neglected children. They are under intense
pressure, as the number of child deaths this past year has illustrated.
There are other stresses on children too. Bullying is common in school yards. The recent tragic events in Victoria are
an extreme example of a broad problem. Nearly half of 15-year-old boys and a quarter of girls reported that they had
participated in bullying activities last year.
Average child-care costs also rose between 1994 and 1995, and public spending on child care dropped. With family
incomes falling, the pressures on parents to work outside the home are increasing. We know that the early years are
vital to a child's development. These short term savings though have long term consequences. Poor quality child care
can mean that children end up performing poorly in school, or behaving badly with their peers as they grow older.
Last year our assessment was that, by and large, Canada's kids are healthy and well-educated. This year, we have to
qualify that finding.
Rates of asthma among children are climbing rapidly. They've doubled over the past 15 years. And the level of physical
fitness among Canadian children is too low. Two-thirds of our children are not active enough for their optimal health and
development. At the same time, user fees for recreational facilities have increased. More than half of poor families cite
user fees as a barrier to their kids participation in recreation and sports.
Only a third of poor children, and less than two-thirds of non-poor children visit a dentist regularly. In nearly half of the
country, there are no public dental programs for children.
If we turn to education, international tests show that Canadian kids are only average performers at school. And
teachers are reporting a serious lack of equipment in their classrooms. As an example, more than half of grade-school
teachers say they don't have adequate science equipment.
For high school grads, the cost of university and college is a growing concern. The average student debt load is now
$22,000, that's three times the 1990 level.
Looking ahead, the effects of government spending are starting to have a negative impact on middle-class, as well as
poor kids. If this trend continues, a growing number of children are at risk of failing to develop to their full potential.
To the first ministers we say, measuring progress is not the same as making progress. For the sake of the kids, don't
leave this report on a shelf.
Thank you.
The Progress of Canada's Children 1997 - Related Material
Canadian Council on Social Development,
309 Cooper Street, 5th Floor,
Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0G5
Tel: (613) 236-8977, Fax: (613) 236-2750, Web: www.ccsd.ca, Email: council@ccsd.ca
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