Physical punishment of children and youth (Motion #53-05)

Moved by Dennis – Berthiaume. Approved by the Sudbury & District Board of Health, June 16, 2005.

WHEREAS public health has a goal to increase the percentage of children and youth who meet physical, cognitive, communicative and psychosocial development milestones; and

WHEREAS studies indicate the utilization of physical punishment is still widely used and may have serious consequences for children; and

WHEREAS Section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada justifies the use of physical punishment of children between the ages of 2 and 12; and

WHEREAS public health has a role in conjunction with other community agencies to advocate for policy change that affects the health and well-being of children;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Sudbury & District Board of Health support the repeal of Section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada, as repeal would provide children the same protection from physical assault as that given to adults; and

FURTHER THAT the Sudbury & District Board of Health directs the Medical Officer of Health to write to the Federal Minister of Justice seeking the Federal Government’s support for the repeal of Section 43 the Criminal Code of Canada; and

FURTHER THAT a copy of this motion be forwarded to Ontario Boards of Health, local Members of Parliament, the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) and the Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA).

This item was last modified on August 16, 2016