This year's federal budget includes important investments that will positively impact children and youth – including child care and early learning, dental care, pharmacare and housing – but it does not include big, bold investments to address the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people in Canada. 

Although a pandemic recovery plan for kids is lacking, Children First Canada (CFC) is pleased that several commitments in Budget 2022 support recommendations from the Young Canadians’ Parliament in their recent report, Our Commitment to Today and Tomorrow. 

“We are facing a generational catastrophe that requires immediate and sustained support. Children are grappling with massive learning loss, mental and physical health issues, social isolation and many other challenges,” says CFC founder and CEO Sara Austin. “Children are citizens with rights. They represent a quarter of our population and 100% of our future. As Canada rebuilds from the pandemic, there is nothing more critical than investing in our children. When children prosper, Canada prospers.” 

In response to Budget 2022, CFC has proposed a roadmap to put children and youth at the heart of Canada’s pandemic recovery plans. Click the button below to read the full statement.