Rose in the House of Commons for Universal Children's Day

Today is Universal Children's Day. Yesterday, I rose in the House of Commons to recognize and celebrate children's rights in Canada and worldwide. On this day, we recognize the declaration of the rights of the child and the convention of children's rights.

These rights include the right to be protected from violence and discrimination, and the right to life, health and education.

I also took the opportunity to recognize the delegations from UNICEF visiting parliamentarians and to salute the work of UNICEF and all child-focused organizations who take the time to educate Parliamentarians about how to meaningfully improve children's lives.

Over the last several years we have seen absolute devastation for children worldwide in conflicts, including Ukraine, and Palestine, and Sudan, and now in Lebanon. In too many places today children's rights are under attack. International law and human rights are under attack. And children bear the brunt of these conflicts.

New Democrats will always stand for the rights of children, and will make space for children and young people to raise their voices on the issues that matter to them.

Happy Universal Children's day!

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