During the week of November 15–19, 1999, something will happen in Canada that has never happened before. Elections Canada, in conjunction with UNICEF Canada, will be entering schools across the country to conduct a ‘National Election for the Rights of Youth.’ Our children, ages 6 to 18, will be asked to choose from a list of 10 "rights" to determine which one they think is most important.

Why should parents be concerned about this "child rights" vote? Because this exercise continues the government’s erosion of the rights of parents to direct the upbringing of their children.

Incredibly, Canadian parents were never consulted by the Government of Canada or Elections Canada before they announced this initiative on July 12, 1999. In fact, there was no requirement for Elections Canada to inform parents there would be a "child rights" vote in their schools, nor were parents asked to give consent to allow their child to participate in the exercise.

Another invasion is in the description of the right to "Share Opinions" which states: [it is] "a right to express our views and opinions and to have these opinions listened to in matters that affect us." Apparently, the state must assume the judgement of Canadian parents on matters that affect their children isn’t good enough. Potentially, this could drive a wedge between parents and their children. Will government step in if a child thinks their parents aren’t giving them all their rights?

Another "right" children can vote for is a right to their "own culture." This is explained as the "right to enjoy and practice our own cultures, languages and religions, especially if we belong to a minority or indigenous population." If this is the case, one wonders what "rights" parents have if their child is intent on joining a local cult.

Additionally, it is questionable whether the ‘National Election for the Rights of Youth’ vote falls under the jurisdiction of Elections Canada. They consider this an educational exercise in democracy, but they are not an education agency. Education is a provincial responsibility.

The "Child Rights" vote communicates to children in a subtle way that government influence is necessary in a child’s life and that big government is necessary to watch and be sure parents are giving children all their rights. Elections Canada has no mandate to influence children about a certain political philosophy and to do so using taxpayers dollars is objectionable.

There is a great concern that the results of this vote will be used by adults in lobby groups to promote their own agenda. This manipulation of our children, some as young as six years old, who will innocently cast their vote with no idea of the implications of what they are doing, is deplorable. How are the younger children going to interpret some of the "rights"? It has been reported that one of the 10 or 11 year olds given a sample ballot was asked whether he would vote for the right for education. The child responded, "No, I won’t. Kids shouldn’t have to go to school at all." I suspect this type of response will be typical of what this vote will accomplish.

Normally, I would write only one column per month discussing an issue before Parliament, but this is such an important issue, I will submit another column next week. I will describe a constructive alternative explaining why the government should not be educating our children about their rights without also educating them about their responsibilities. Discussing rights without discussing responsibilities is one of the factors that is eroding the fabric of our society. This is a new idea that I will explore and your feedback will be appreciated.

If you share my concerns about the Elections Canada "child rights" vote, I urge you to contact Elections Canada (1-800-463-6868) so they are aware of what you think of their intrusion into the role of parents. Additionally, you should call your local school board.

This vote will, and can, be used as a political tool by adults--it’s not fair to children, and it’s not fair to parents. Incidentally, the 10^th item on the ballot is "freedom from governmental invasions of our privacy." Too bad it doesn’t apply to anyone answering to the names "Mom" and "Dad."