After many years of success, EvidenceNetwork.ca is no longer in operation. We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the organization over the past decade including our dedicated researchers, newspaper editors, readers and funders. However, now it is time to move onto new ways of looking at knowledge mobilization and policy. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Shannon Sampert at s.sampert@uwinnipeg.ca.

Aging out of foster care with no number to call — an interview with Dylan Cohen

Dylan Cohen shares a personal story of life in and out of government care. He is an Indigenous former youth in care and campaigner for Fostering Change in British Columbia and a Contributor with EvidenceNetwork.ca.  Dylan seeks to create opportunities for youth in/from care across the country through advocacy and public policy justice. Interview by […]

In the fight for kids’ attention, parents don’t stand a chance

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 […]

Setting the conditions for good long-term health

Last year at a camp in southern New Brunswick I met Evan. Before turning eight, he had bounced from foster home to foster home. He was sent to camp without a bathing suit or sufficient lunch. Regardless, Evan smiled constantly, excelled in school and had a striking sense of compassion. I still think about Evan all the time — what allowed him to thrive in spite of the cards he had been dealt?

Canada has too many kids in care – and the situation is not improving

What happens to kids who authorities determine can’t live safely with their own parents or caregivers? Thousands of Canadian children are in this situation right now. Many go into foster homes, while others go into other types of out-of-home care on behalf of child welfare agencies. But we don’t know how many, nor do we know how well they are doing.

We need a radical new approach for kids in care

Six advocates for First Nations children have gone on a symbolic hunger strike at the Manitoba Legislature to try to raise awareness across the country about Manitoba’s broken child welfare system. Why? Well, here’s one fact that should make most Canadians sit up and take notice

Canada’s chance to catch up on drug safety for children

Almost a year has passed since an important report was released on ways Canada needs to improve medicines for children. The report was commissioned by Health Canada and undertaken by the Council of Canadian Academies after many alarms were sounded by experts in the community.

It shouldn’t matter where you go to school, but for kids with diabetes, it does

Summer is a time to put thoughts of school aside, but some families are already worrying about September. For parents of kids with diabetes, the beginning of each new school year brings not only the usual preparations, but also fears for their child’s health and safety.

What I learned as a medical student working with low-income families in Toronto

As a medical student taking part in a Social Paediatrics course at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), I was recently immersed in the lives and healthcare needs of low-income families in Toronto. This experience reshaped the lens through which I now view healthcare and helped me recognize that societal factors greatly influence the emotional and physical wellbeing of children and their families.