Children's Rights

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by Jeff Rud of the Office of the Representative for Children & Youth, Shannan Knutson of the Ministry of Attorney General, and Heidi Sarrazin and Leslie Anderson of the Ministry of Children and Family Development in July 2018.

The legal rights of children vary from those of adults. Learn the rights of children in several contexts, and situations where their views are considered in decisions that affect them.

The rights of children

To consent to their own health care

Under the law in BC, a child under age 19 may consent to their own health care — if they are “capable”.

The law considers a child capable if they understand the need for the health care, what the care involves, and the consequences (the benefits and risks) of getting the care — or not getting the care.

If a health care provider explains these things to the child and is satisfied the child understands them, and that the health care is in the child’s best interests, they can treat the child if the child consents to the care. The provider does not need the consent of the child’s parents or guardians. The child might have to sign a consent form.

Generally, if a child is capable of consenting to health care, they are also capable of making a decision to refuse health care.

For more on this topic, see our information on children and consent to health care.

If they are hospitalized against their will for psychiatric treatment

A child under age 16 can be hospitalized against their will for psychiatric treatment in one of two ways:

• if a parent or guardian requests it and a doctor agrees it’s in the child’s best interest, or
• if the child is admitted as an involuntary patient under the Mental Health Act.

In both cases, the child has the right to be told why they’ve been admitted and the right to contact a lawyer immediately. If they want to leave but their doctor won’t let them, the child can ask for a hearing by a review panel or court.

A child age 16 or older can be admitted against their will for psychiatric treatment only as an involuntary patient. To find out more about involuntary admissions, see our information on hospitalizing a mentally ill person.

If they are “in care”

If a child is in the care of the province, or in care, BC’s child protection law gives the child certain rights. They include the right to be consulted and give their views on decisions that affect them. They also include the rights to reasonable privacy, to be free from physical punishment, and to be informed about (and helped to contact) the Ombudsperson and the Representative for Children and Youth. (We give contact details for these two offices shortly.)

“In care” means a child is in the custody, care or guardianship of the child welfare or adoption authorities. “Care” means physical care and control. If a child is removed from their home by the child welfare authorities, the authorities have care of the child until the child is returned to their parents or a court makes an order. If a child is in care, the child’s worker, other people important to the child, and the child meet and develop a care plan for the child.

For more information, see the publication Know Your Rights: A Guide to Rights for Young People in Care, published by the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Also, the Ministry website includes a section for if you’re a teen in foster care.

If they are charged with a crime

The Youth Criminal Justice Act explains how police, courts, and the correctional system must treat young people age 12 to 17 who are arrested for, charged with, or convicted of a crime under federal laws.

The most important federal criminal law is the Criminal Code. It covers common crimes like shoplifting, breaking and entering, car theft, and assault. Other federal laws deal with things like possessing and selling (or trafficking) illegal drugs.

Provincial laws cover many other crimes, such as drinking under age, trespassing, and breaking traffic laws.

A young person who is stopped and questioned by the police has the right to remain silent. If a young person is arrested or detained, they have the right to legal advice. If they are charged with a federal crime, they have the right to a lawyer to represent them. For more on the rights of young people charged with a crime, see our information on young people and criminal law and trials involving young people.

Common questions

What kind of input can children have on things that affect them?

Under many laws, the views of a child must be considered in making decisions affecting them. Some laws require the child’s approval.

Under the Family Law Act, in making an agreement or order about guardianship, parenting arrangements, or contact with a child, the parties and the court must consider the best interests of the child only. The law lists the child’s views as one factor that must be considered in determining their best interests, unless it would be inappropriate to consider them. Both the age and maturity of a child are important when a court considers a child’s views.

If a person other than a child’s parent applies to court for an order appointing them as the child’s guardian, the Family Law Act requires the child’s written approval (if they’re age 12 or older). The approval is not required if the court is satisfied the appointment is in the best interests of the child.

Under BC’s child protection law, a child in care of the province has a right to be consulted and to express their views, according to their abilities, about significant decisions affecting them. If the child is age 12 or older, any consent court order must have the child’s consent.

Under BC’s adoption law, if a child is age 12 or older, their consent to being adopted is required. The views of a child between seven and 11 must be considered.

When a family breaks up, can children choose which parent to live with?

Children do not generally get to choose which parent they live with if their parents separate or divorce, but they can express their views. The parents can agree on parenting arrangements, including where their children will live, how much time the children will spend with each parent, and how decisions about them will be made. To help them make these decisions, the parents may talk to the children, social workers, lawyers, counsellors, or other professionals. If the parents make an agreement their children are not happy with, the children can talk to the parents about it. But it’s still the parents’ decision.

If the parents can’t agree, a court may have to decide who the children live with. Under the Family Law Act, the parties and the court must consider the best interests of the child only. The law lists a number of factors that must be considered, including the child’s views, unless it would be inappropriate to consider them. Both the age and maturity of a child are important when a court considers a child’s views. A court often assesses a child’s maturity by examining how the child behaves at home and at school.

Can children access money held in trust for them by the Public Guardian and Trustee?

It depends on the situation. BC’s Public Guardian and Trustee oversees the legal rights and financial interests of children under age 19. The Public Guardian and Trustee holds money that children receive in the following types of cases — if another trustee is not appointed:

• an injury award after an accident
• an inheritance
• life insurance proceeds
• part of the money that a child under 15 makes from acting in TV or films

The Public Guardian and Trustee pays all a child’s money (with interest) to the child when they turn 19. The Public Guardian and Trustee may also use some of a child’s money — before the child is 19 — to pay for things a child or their family cannot afford, such as school fees, tutoring, camps and trips, transportation, computers, and dental needs.

For more information, check with the Public Guardian and Trustee. Visit their website or call 604-660-4444.

Who can help

For children

Children who would like to talk to someone can call the Helpline for Children. This confidential service operates at any time of the day or night.

• Call 310-1234 (toll-free)

For children and families

A child receiving services from the Ministry of Children and Family Development (or their family member or caregiver) who disagrees with something the ministry did or decided, has a right to complain and be taken seriously. The Ministry website provides information on how to make a complaint.

• Visit website

The Provincial Ombudsperson responds to complaints about ministries, schools and other provincial authorities that affect children and youth.

• Call 1-800-567-3247 (toll-free)
• Visit website

The Representative for Children and Youth supports children and families who need help dealing with the child welfare system. The Representative does not work for government, but is an independent officer of the BC legislature. They also suggest changes to the system.

• Call 1-800-476-3933 (toll-free)
• Visit website