Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in Canada among children between the ages of one to 14 years. In a report that analyzed data from 29 developed countries, Canada ranked a dismal 22nd when it came to preventable childhood injuries and deaths.

What may be more surprising is that the majority of these injuries are predictable and preventable, yet many known effective interventions have not been widely implemented. Preventable injuries are a major public health problem and the burden falls unevenly on those most vulnerable in our society. Preventable injuries among children cost Canadians $4 billion per year.  Many of those who survive are left with lifelong disabilities that go far beyond the individual child.

In 2009, Safe Kids Canada established a strategic plan which outlined the organization’s vision, mission, guiding principles, strategic pillars and priority areas that will guide our work over the next five years to prevent serious injuries among children, youth and families.  We look forward to the future as we renew our efforts to eliminate the epidemic of preventable injuries in Canada.

Strategic Plan 2009-2013 (pdf)