Media Advisory - Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth launches listening tour in lead-up to "National Day of the Child"

TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2014 /CNW/ - The Provincial Advocate for Children is launching an annual listening tour to hear from children and youth on how Ontario is living up to its commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

The announcement was made in honour of the "National Day of the Child" on November 20^th. This day marks the 25^th anniversary when the United Nations signed the international human rights treaty, recognizing the rights of all children.

During the week of November 17-22, the Advocate will visit eight communities (Alisa Craig, London, Windsor, Belleville, Manitoulin Island, Thunder Bay, Perth and Ottawa) to meet with more than 200 children and youth at children's mental health centres, First Nations communities, schools, child welfare agencies, youth justice facilities, and community centres.

Findings from the annual listening tours will inform the Provincial Advocate's "Alternate Report" on Ontario's progress. The Advocate's report will be submitted to the United Nation's Committee during Canada's next review, scheduled for 2018.

The schedule for the Advocate's listening tour is as follows:

Monday, November 17	London and Windsor
Tuesday, November 18	Thunder Bay to attend the "Feathers of Hope: Justice and Juries" youth forum, hosted by the Office of the Provincial Advocate
Wednesday, November 19	Manitoulin Island
Thursday, November 20	Thunder Bay
Friday, November 21	Prince Edward County and Perth
Saturday, November 22	Ottawa

SOURCE: Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth

To interview the Provincial Advocate or for more information, contact: Eva Lannon & Associates, 416.300.9721 or [email protected]