A new survey by Abacus Data commissioned by Children’s Healthcare Canada (CHC) reveals the vast majority of Canadians are deeply worried about the future of our country’s children and youth. Of those polled, 92% fully believe children should be a priority as the Canadian government develops its COVID-19 recovery plan, and beyond, with 70% of respondents expecting the pandemic to have long-term effects on children.

The findings indicate a striking and widespread concern, with Canadians seeing the most negative impacts in children’s formal education (70%), mental health and wellbeing (66%) and their social and emotional development (66%). Additionally, a notable 62% felt the pandemic has increased inequality between families depending on household income and wealth.

These troubling numbers come just days after UNICEF Canada’s report ranking Canada 30^th of 38 countries based on measures of children’s mental and physical health, education and the health of their relationships, while also noting that we have one of the highest rates of adolescent suicide in the world.