I. INTRODUCTION
Statement of Policy of the Canadian Home and School Federation
The
basic statement of policy was adopted at the 1963 Annual Meeting. Additions and
amendments to this statement are indicated.
The
policy of the Canadian Home and School Federation has been formed in harmony with
the Federation's OBJECTS, and is based on resolutions adopted at Annual General
Meetings.
The
prime concern of the Canadian Home and School Federation is the development of
literate, emotionally mature, socially responsible, and economically efficient
citizens through education in the home, the public school system and the community,
at all levels.
The
Canadian Home and School Federation policy in the areas of special interest is
listed in the following pages.
II. CITIZENSHIP
The
Federation endorses:
1.
Guarantee to all residents in Canada of French and English-language rights.
(1969, 1998)
2.
Convenient access to all public buildings for persons with physical challenges.
(1969, amended and reaffirmed 1998)
3.
Rejection of the entrenchment of asymmetrical language rights in the Canadian
Constitution and insistence that all residents have the right to be education
in the official language of their choice. (1991)
4.
Entrenchment of the right to use both official languages throughout Canada in
the Constitution. (1991)
III. EDUCATION
TEACHING
The
Federation endorses:
1.(a)
That personal and character qualities of teachers are of vital importance along
with academic qualifications.
(b) That permanent certification requires three years of teacher training following
senior matriculation.
(c) That teachers' salaries be adequate to retain
competent, qualified teachers. .
(d) That adequate scholarships, bursaries
and loans be available so that any teacher candidate meeting the admission requirements
may complete his/her training.
(e) That teachers be represented on those boards which determine teacher certification.
2.
Special training courses for teachers of children with learning disabilities.
(1974, 1998)
3. The use of reasonable physical force to either restrain
or protect a child from doing harm to self; restrain or protect a child from doing
harm to, or being harmed by, another student, and restrain a child from doing
harm to a teacher or other staff member. (1994)(amended 2001)
SCHOOL PROGRAM
The
Federation promotes equality of educational opportunity so that every child may
develop to his or her full potential.
The
Federation endorses:
1.
Encouragement of the use of distinctly Canadian textbooks . (reaffirmed 1981)
2.
Promotion of the teaching of conversational French or conversational English as
a second language beginning in the primary grades.
3.
Establishment of : a) effective school library services throughout Canada;
b) Summer sessions leading to the Degree of Bachelor of Library Science.
(reaffirm
1998)
4.
Provision of Vocational Guidance and Counseling Services by trained and skilled
personnel.
5.
Introduction of technical and vocational courses into the high school curriculum.
6.
Media literacy skills of "screen education" as essential components
of curriculum from kindergarten to high school. (amended 1985)
7.
Courses in environmental education, human ecology and conservation in curricula,
and incorporation of environmental concepts throughout curricula. (1972)
8.
Adult volunteer programs in the school to be carried out in consultation and cooperation
with the teaching profession, and with due regard to confidentiality. (1974)
9.
Teaching of peace education a priority within designated courses in the curriculum.
(1974, amended 1990,reaffirmed 2002)
10.
(a) Co-educational guidance in elementary and secondary schools and the continuation
of education of both girls and boys for all occupational fields, according
to their individual aptitudes.
(a)
Textbooks portraying women as well as men in diversified roles and occupations.
(1976)
11.
The encouragement of technology in education in conjunction with a comprehensive
training program for teachers in its use as a classroom aid. (1976)
12.
The encouragement and support of formal values clarification programs in all Canadian
schools, in consultation with parents, and as teachers become available who are
qualified in Values Clarification techniques. (1976)
13.
Development and implementation of policies promoting healthy nutrition by school
boards. (1977, amended 1990)
14.
Development of K-13 nutrition programs as part of the health curriculum by Departments
of Education.
15.
Promotion of Canadian tours for students as alternative to overseas tours and
tours of foreign countries. (1978, reaffirmed 2002)
16.
Availability of federal grants to provinces and school boards for the implementation
of programs of daily physical education and the development of a range of physical
activities within the school. (1978)
17.
Enrichment programs for gifted and talented students. (1982)
18.
Support of Family Life Education (1987)
19.
Mandatory health and physical education courses which include components on human
sexuality from primary level to final year of secondary. (1990)
20.
Mandatory health and physical education courses at secondary level to have full
credits with at least fifty hours of instruction. (1990)
21.
Including a component dealing with child abuse (including sexual abuse) in health
curricula at elementary level. (1990)
22.
Provision of emergency and long-term aid to undernourished students. (1991)
23.
School-based strategies to prevent and deal with student aggressive behaviour.
(1992)
24.
School child-abuse programs to be evaluated as to their delivery, content and
degree of parent involvement. (1993)
25.
Critical thinking skills and media literacy in curricula from kindergarten through
high school. (1993)
26. Opposing views and perspectives provided students
when issues are introduced in the classroom. (1993)
27.
Elementary science programs which address children's informal ideas about science.
(1994)
28.
Secondary school accreditation for both academic and vocational streams. (1994)
29.
Technical/vocational programs to all secondary students, which include acquisition
of quality literacy and numerical skills. (1994)
30.
The continued role of music and fine arts education as a fundamental part of public
schooling and as a right for every child (1996)
31.
A minimum national standard for education. (2001)
32.
The establishment of a federal department to implement and oversee a national
standard for education. (2001)
33.
The implementation of an Anti-Bullying Program for all school age children by
all Provincial and Territorial Ministries of Education. (2002)
ORGANIZATION
The
Federation endorses:
1.
Standardized university entrance requirements throughout Canada.
2.
Availability of education in both the English and French languages, where number
permit, so that parents may choose the language of instruction for their children.
(1969, revised 1974, reaffirmed 1998)
3.
The confidentiality of scholars' records within the schools and Departments of
Education; these to be made available to parents on request and given out only
with the express permission of the parents, guardian or adult student. (1975)
4.
Definition of nation-wide goals for Canadian education by the Council of Ministers
of Education, Canada. (1977)
5.
Recruitment of women into positions of responsibility and authority by educational
agencies, and the provision of in-service training to upgrade management and decision-making
skills.
6.
Constitutional guarantees of minority language education in either of Canada's
official languages. (1982, reaffirmed 1990)
7.
The right of the disabled to equal access to educational opportunities. (1982)
8.
The availability of Canadian university and college facilities and programs for
deaf Canadian students interested in participating in post-secondary education.
(1984)
9.
Special consideration to maintain and encourage development of schools in rural
areas. (1990)
10.
The administration of compulsory exams at the high school level to allow special
accommodation for students with severe learning disabilities. (1992)
11.
Restrictions to and monitoring of business advertising in schools. (1993)
12.
Maintain and encourage the development of schools in rural areas. (1999)
FUNDING
The
Federation endorses:
1.
Federal aid to education through:
(a) grants
(b) scholarship loans and
bursaries to deserving high school graduates
(c) funds for educational research.
2.
Free university tuition for all academically qualified children of Canadian residents.
3.
Exemption from income tax on their own earnings for students in full-time attendance
at a school or university.
4.
Exemption from the taxable income of parents or guardian of fees paid for tuition
at an institution of learning beyond public or high school on behalf of dependent
children. (1966, and 1971)
5.
Increased grants by the Federal Government for French-language instruction in
elementary grades. (reaffirm 1998)
6.
Availability of federal grants to both French and English-speaking sectors for
teaching French or English as a second language, which extends The Federation's
previous policy of support for the availability of minority language education.
(1974, 1975)
7.
Increased federal funding to the provinces for education. (1974)
8.
Continued Federal Government funding to enable the continuation of French and
English immersion programs. (1977)
9.
Federal Government funding of the teaching of an Official Language to immigrant
children. (1977)
10.
Accountability of provinces for federal grants in support of Minority and Second
Language education as a condition of funding. (1981, reaffirmed 1998)
11.
Exemption of newspapers, magazines, books and other forms of printed literature
from the Goods and Services Tax. (1991, reaffirmed 1999)
12.
Provincial and Territorial Governmental funding for the training of all staff
and the necessary materials to ensure successful implementation of Anti-Bullying
Programs. (2002)
13.
The cost of screening school volunteers and employees who have direct contact
with children to be free or to be covered by the provincial or territorial governments.
(2002)
RESEARCH
The
Federation endorses:
1.
Greatly increased emphasis on research in education at all levels: classroom,
school system, university and teachers college, provincial and federal government.
2.
Research into teaching and learning styles, taking into consideration both cognitive
and affective learning. (1977)
3.
The further use of School Achievement Indicators Programs. (1995)
NATIVE
EDUCATION
The
Federation supports efforts to bring about opportunities for First Nation children
and youth equal to those of other Canadian children and youth. This can be achieved
only if the First Nation people, while maintaining their own culture, shall attain
the same legal, educational, economic, health and social opportunities as other
Canadians.
1.
Opportunities for First Nations Youth in academic, trade and professional training
equal to that of other children and adults in Canada.
2.
Special training in first nations history, culture and problems for all teachers
of first nations children, on or off reservations.
3.
The idea of community development and the principle of first nations personnel
involvement in such a project where and when it is feasible to launch same.
(amended 1964)
The
following resolution was passed unanimously at the 1965 Annual Meeting, expressing
the Canadian Home and School and Parent-Teacher Federation's policy regarding
further thought and action toward the first nation population:
4.
That in dealing with the First Nation and Eskimo people, the Government of Canada
shall adhere to the principles of the United Nations Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, and, towards this end, it shall evaluate all Acts and Regulations
pertaining directly to the first nation and Eskimo people, making such revisions
as are necessary in order to bring these Acts and Regulations into harmony with
the Universal Declaration. (amended and reaffirmed, 1998)
The
Federation also endorses:
5.
Development, in consultation with aboriginal peoples, of curricula and materials
reflecting native heritage, and inclusion of native studies as a mandatory component
of the curricula in schools. (1992)
6.
Recruitment and training of teachers and counselors of aboriginal descent and
provision of training in native languages to help implement native second languages
courses. (1992)
7.
Ensuring assessment and placement practices sensitive to language, culture and
values unique to native students. (1992)
8.
Promotion of native languages as second language programs. (1992)
IV.
HEALTH
GENERAL
The
Federation endorses:
1.
Full income tax exemption of all medical expenses including emotional disturbance
and mental illness, treatment and care of eyes and teeth.
2.
Publication by the Department of National Health and Welfare of multilingual pamphlets
relating to early childhood development, to be distributed as an insert with Family
Allowance and Youth Allowance cheques. (1977, reaffirmed 1999)
3.
Cardiac-pulmonary resuscitation training for school personnel. (1982)
4.
Promotion of healthy eating habits and exercise activities for children and their
families. (1983)
5.
Compulsory immunization against contagious diseases. (1983)
6.
Long-term social marketing of Health issues and programs by Health and Welfare
Canada for a sustained period (many years). (1990)
7.
Confidentiality of student and employee records in matters relating to HIV/AIDS
within the school context. (1990)
8. The development of an educational
program on the treatment and prevention of Pediculosis. (1998)
9.
Encourages the government funding of emergency and long-term aid to undernourished
students in schools across Canada. (1999)
10.
Publicly funded voluntary immunization for Meningococcal Diseases for all infants
over two months, children, adolescents and young adults up to age 24. (2002)
SAFETY
The
Federation endorses:
1.
Legislation for the prevention of the sale of realistic toy firearms in Canada.
2.
Legislation for the rigid control of the sale, purchase, transfer and possession
of air rifles and air-pistols. (1965)
3.
Banning the manufacture and sale of highly inflammable building materials. (1971,
reaffirmed 1999)
4.
Enforcement of the National Building Code as it relates to standards for the handicapped.
(1972)
5.
Banning the import of articles made from acrylic fur and other highly inflammable
materials. (1972, reaffirmed 1999)
6.
Elimination of sharp edges on 'mini' food cans. (1974)
7.
Mandatory use of bicycle helmets for all cyclists regardless of age, and passengers
transported in bicycle-mounted child carriers. (1991, reaffirmed 1994)
8. Legislation re: Canada Safety Standards for the manufacture of bicycle helmets.
(1991)
9.
Enforcement of gun control legislation to guarantee the protection of children;
families and communities from a preventable societal risk to their health and
safety.
(1991)
10.
Encouragement for the position of the Coalition for Gun Control. (1991)
11.
Mandatory legislation for CSA-approved cycling helmet use to increase the safety
of children and youth using bicycles. (1995)
12.
The removal of trampolines and mini-trampolines from schools and playgrounds.
(1998)
13.
Guidelines regulating the proximate distance between fire hydrants and the placement
of school playground equipment. (1998)
14.
The dissemination of information regarding the harmful effects of moulds and fungi
in portable classrooms. (1998)
15.
The cost of screening school volunteers and employees who have direct contact
with children be free or covered by the provincial governments. (1999)
16.
The requirement that Workplace Safety Training and Workplace Legal Rights training
be part of the mandatory curriculum for all Secondary School students in Canada.
(2000)
17. The establishment of national standards and guidelines for emergency
response and evacuation plans in all buildings where children and youth are registered
in attendance. (2001)
SMOKING
The
Federation endorses:
1.
Promotion of income producing crops as alternates to tobacco crops. (1969, 1972)
2.
Increased penalties for furnishing tobacco in any form to young persons. (1972)
3.
Designation of all school grounds, school buildings, school buses, etc. as smoke
Free Spaces. (1977, 1990, 1991)
4.
Anti-smoking education for all age groups. (1981)
5.
Priority status for the teaching of non-smoking as a health issue. (1984, 1991)
6.
Amendment of the Tobacco Restraint Act to:
(1) prevent sale of tobacco or
tobacco products to minors and to :
(2) greatly increase penalties. (1990,
reaffirmed 1999)
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
The
Federation endorses:
1. Research on the use of marijuana and hashish. (1969,
reaffirm 1999)
2.
Treatment and rehabilitation of drug users, rather than conviction. (1969)
3.
Development throughout our communities of healthy group situations, such as drop-in
centres, as an alternative to the group experiences of drug-users. (1971, reaffirm
1999)
4.
Instruction of a continuing drug education program beginning in the elementary
school health curriculum, including screened speakers with former personal experience
in drug use, with the provision that all such programs be available to parents
prior to presentation. (1971) (amended 2001)
5. A ban on television and
radio advertising promoting the sale of legal mood-modifying and or sleep-inducing
drugs. (1972,1975,1999)
6. Displays of mood-modifying and sleep-inducing
drugs, hypodermic needles and syringes in dispensaries only, and the utmost care
in their sale. (1972, 1975,1999)
7.
Banning television advertising of alcoholic beverages. (1977, 1999)
8.
Legislation to effectively ban the entry of drug-oriented magazines into Canada.
(1978)
9.
The retention of the control of marijuana under the narcotics Controlled Substance
Act. (1980) (amended 2001)
10.
Distribution of portion of forfeited proceeds re (Bill C-61 1988) to CHSF to promote
drug and alcohol abuse prevention programs. (1992) (amended 2001)
V. WELFARE
GENERAL
The
Federation endorses:
1.
Availability of professional counseling services as a family service.
2.
Provision of more effective detention and psychiatric treatment of dangerous sex
offenders.
3.
Adequate provision for re-education and rehabilitation of young offenders to restore
them to normal society. (1972)
4. Repeal of the section of the Criminal
Code permitting corporal punishment of children; existing provincial child protection
legislation to apply instead.
(1975,1999)
5.
Establishment of Family Courts as recommended by the Advisory Council on the Status
of Women, January 1975. (1977.1999)
6.
The Block Parent program (1981)
7.
The laying of charges by police officers in instances of wife beating, as with
any other case of assault. (1984)
8.
Establishment of a federal ministry to deal solely with issues that affect children.
(1990, 1991)
9.
Interpretation of term "competent authorities" liberally, to ensure
the well-being of children. (1990) (1990)
10.
Definition of "best interest of society" as the long-term best interest
of the young offender whenever possible. (1990)
11.
Resolution of social and economic issues which create conditions of poverty for
children as a Federal Government priority. (1990)
12.
That courts inform school principals confidentially of the presence in his/her
school, of a young offender serving a sentence or on probation. (1991)
13.
Broadening of the definition of "serious harm" to include psychological
harm. (1993)
14.
Conditions and practices of confinement of young offenders in secure custody fully
comply with the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child. (1997)
15.
Involvement in a "Verbal Abuse Prevention Week by all provincial Departments
of Education. (2001)
16.
The establishment of a Commissioner for Canada's Children to:
(a) monitor
Canada's progress in ensuring that federal laws conform with the provisions of
the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
(b) take part in the process
of developing Canada's periodic country report to the UN Committee on the Rights
of the Child. (2001)
BENEFITS
The
Federation endorses:
1.
An increase in the basic income tax personal exemptions for low income groups.
(1969)
2.
Increased financing by federal and provincial agencies to provide for additional
child-care facilities, which would make such facilities more accessible to low-income
families. (1977)
VI. MEDIA
QUALITY
The
Canadian Home and School Federation supports efforts to bring about more effective
use of radio, television and films in the total educative process.
The
Federation endorses:
1.
Research into the effect of television on children. (1963, 1974)
2.
Production of children's educational programs by the CBC. (1972)
3.
Television programs with less violence, with humour without vulgarity, instruction
in creative arts and hobbies, and support for the family unit. (1974)
4. Positive programs to assist parents to guide children's exposure to the media.
(1974)
5.
A higher standard of television programming in general, and particularly during
child viewing hours, in consultation with an Advisory Committee of parents, teachers
and child psychologists. (1976)
6.
The production of films and multi-media products by national agencies such as
the National Film Board, National Museums, and National Archives to be made available
to educational and community groups to permit a better understanding and appreciation
of this country as a whole by regional, cultural and linguistic groups. (1977)
7.
Increased production of television programs based on Canadian history and literature
by the CBC. (1977)
8.
Development of television programs and adult education which will aid the functionally
illiterate in overcoming their handicap. (1977)
9.
Provision of more movies for family viewing with subject contents such as: history,
biography, mysteries, adventure, musicals, love stories, comedy and accounts of
people and events which contributed to the culture of society and inspired humanity.
(1977)
10.
The development and /or promotion of an Internet Safety Advertising campaign aimed
to inform parents and youth of the dangers of Internet usage. (2002)
REGULATION
The
Federation endorses:
1.
Legislation for the prevention of the importation, publication and distribution
of obscene material.
2.
Classification of television programs as Children, General or Adult, thereby assisting
parents in the decision of family viewing. (1966)
3.
Regulation of unethical advertising aimed at children (1972)
4.
Expression of parents' views on television advertising to appropriate sources.
(1974)
5.
Inclusion of The Federation in the policy-making of the CRTC, the CBC and the
NFB. (1975)
6.
Canada Council for the Arts' support based on cultural, as well as financial,
needs for organizations specializing in children's theatre. (1975)
7.
The elimination of commercial advertising directed to children. (1976)
8.
Allocation of appropriate funds by television stations and cable television companies
for the development of high-quality Canadian-produced programs. (1977)
9.
Monitoring of television by the CRTC to reduce scenes of vehicle violence. (1980)
10.
Support for education and awareness as to harmful effects of pornography, and
positive approaches to deal with the community problem. (1990)
11.
The Federal Government to complete work on the Phase 2 educational amendments
which protect the educational community with respect to the Copyright Act, including:
" representation of the educational community in negotiations;
"
adequate access by teachers and students to materials;
" spontaneous
use clause;
" dropping the public performance fee for schools and allowing
off-air taping under guidelines. ( 1991,1993,amended and reaffirmed 1995)
12.
Oppose the introduction of Youth News network (YNN) and any other similar corporate
ventures in our nation's classrooms that force students to participate. (1999)
VII.
TRAFFIC SAFETY
The
Federation endorses:
1.
Mandatory instruction (including first aid), examination and periodic re-examination
for school bus drivers. (1974)
2.
Defensive driving courses as a requirement for all persons prior to qualifying
for a provincial driver's license. (1977)
3.
Support for driver education for youth. (1980)
4.
System of graduated licensing AND co-operation between federal and provincial
authorities to increase awareness of road safety as a health issue. (1994)
VIII. THE ENVIRONMENT
The
Federation endorses:
1.
Decreasing pollution through research and control of phosphates, nitrates and
other pollutants in detergents and water softeners. (1971)
2.
Formation of student anti-pollution clubs. (1972)
3.
Zero discharge of persistent toxic chemicals into Great Lakes Basin. (1990)
4.
Phasing out of production and use of organochlorines within five years and banning
discharge of new substances into the Great Lakes ecosystem. (1990)
IX. INTERNATIONAL
The
Canadian home and School Federation supports efforts to promote, through educational
means, international good will and peace.
The
Federation endorses:
1.
Efforts of the United Nations to maintain world peace and approves the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, (1948).
a) "Education shall be directed
to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect
for human rights and fundamental freedoms."
b)
"It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among nations,
racial or religious groups and shall further the activities of the United Nations
for the maintenance of peace."
2.
Continuation of the work of the Disarmament Commission, research into radioactive
fall-out, the urging of all governments to adhere to a ban on the testing of nuclear
weapons. (reaffirmed 1999)
3.
Promotion of a school-supported plan for the financial support and education of
children in developing countries, through recognized international agencies.
(1969,1999)
4.
Sponsorship by families for children of developing countries through recognized
international agencies. (1981)
5.
The responsibility of all citizens to be informed about the issues in the nuclear
arms race, the philosophy of nuclear deterrence, and the goals and objectives
of the Disarmament Movement.
