Canada is committed to continuing to work to improve the life chances of children in all parts of the world through the promotion of peace, security and prosperity as well as universal education, guided in our efforts by the values Canadians cherish of respect for democracy, human rights, the rule of law, equality, diversity and the protection of the environment. [...] The role of government and society with respect to children is to provide the legislative and policy framework, the institutional and organizational structures, the fiscal and other supports and services to enable families to ensure their children’s healthy development. [...] By taking a leading role at the World Summit for Children in 1990 and ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991, Canada affirmed the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family, including children, as the necessary foundation for freedom, justice and peace in the world. [...] Our combined efforts, both in Canada and internationally, have increased our knowledge of the factors that promote the well-being of children and their families and contributed to our understanding of the relationship between the rights of the child and child development. [...] The Government of Canada has identified population health, the maintenance and improvement of the health of the entire population and the reduction of inequities in health status among groups within the population, as the best approach for program and policy development.