Helicopter parenting. Tiger parenting. Free-range parenting. These are buzz-words we hear all the time that are supposed to describe the “best” approaches for parents to take raising their children. We all want the best for our children and parents happily and eagerly adopt the latest, greatest advice. Even governments enact legislation that promotes one approach […]
The reality of mothers who give birth in care There is a well-known connection between teen pregnancy and child protection services. Girls who spend time in the care of child protection services have higher rates of teenage pregnancy and teenage mothers are more likely to have their child taken into care. Teenage mothers who give […]
Almost nine million Canadians can’t read well enough to perform everyday tasks In Canada, two out of five adults – that’s nearly nine million people – cannot read well enough to perform everyday tasks. Reading difficulties start early. It is very well established that children who are not reading well by the end of […]
Why is the Canada Revenue Agency denying the Disability Tax Credit to those who need it most? A version of this commentary appeared in Policy Options, the Hill Times and the Vancouver Province “Providing benefits not burdens” is how former Health Minister, Judy LaMarsh once described the vision for disability policy in Canada. Unfortunately, this […]
The most recent data on Canadian children with disabilities is almost a decade old “The true measure of a nation’s standing is how well it attends to its children, including their health, safety, material security, education and socialization and their sense of being loved, valued and included in the families and societies into which […]
Many Canadians can hardly wait for the day that the recreational use of marijuana becomes legal. As a medical doctor, I’m far less enthusiastic. I worry about two things: the experimental nature of marijuana in medical practice and the public health consequences of legalized marijuana. Before you write me off as overly prudish or an […]
Wide variation across the country can be catastrophic and costly A version of this commentary appeared in the Huffington Post, Winnipeg Free Press and Afro News When a child is sick or injured, our health system usually delivers excellent care. That’s good news. Yet the adage that “children are not small adults” — and have specific medical […]
From Ontario’s lips to the feds’ ears A version of this commentary appeared in the Hill Times and the Huffington Post. The Ontario government’s decision to invest in universal drug coverage for those under 25 is a long-needed policy commitment that will help ensure the health of our next generation. As a pediatric oncologist, I see children […]
New study shows Canadian kids see more than 25 million online food and beverage ads a year — mostly for junk food A version of this commentary appeared in Policy Options, the Hamilton Spectator and the Waterloo Region Record Dear Parents, I’m writing you because you may be in the dark about the amount of unhealthy […]
To thrive economically, Manitoba needs young people. Fortunately, our relatively high birth rate — around 1.93 for every 1000 women — combined with favourable immigration trends means that Manitoba’s population will continue to grow.
