Federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for early learning and child care meet to advance workforce strategy and discuss long-term sustainability of Canada-wide system partnership
November 28, 2024
OTTAWA, ON – Federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) ministers responsible for early learning and child care met today to drive progress on a draft workforce strategy and discuss the long-term sustainability of their Canada-wide system partnership.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health.
Ministers recognized the importance of a well-trained and supported early childhood workforce to the success of Canada’s early learning and child care system. They discussed the need to attract, train, and retain qualified early childhood educators and staff, and to ensure that they are compensated fairly for their valuable work.
Ministers agreed to continue working together to develop a draft workforce strategy that will outline key priorities and actions for strengthening the early childhood workforce. The strategy will be informed by research, consultations with stakeholders, and best practices from across Canada and around the world.
Ministers also discussed the long-term sustainability of their Canada-wide system partnership. They acknowledged the progress that has been made in expanding access to affordable, high-quality early learning and child care since the launch of the program in 2021. However, they also recognized that there is still more work to be done to ensure that all families have access to the care they need.
Ministers agreed to explore options for sustainable funding for the program, including increasing federal investments and working with provinces and territories to identify new sources of revenue. They also discussed the importance of ensuring that the program is flexible and responsive to the needs of families and communities across Canada.
The next FPT meeting of ministers responsible for early learning and child care is scheduled to take place in spring 2025.
Quotes:
“Our government is committed to building a high-quality, accessible and affordable early learning and child care system for all Canadian families. A well-trained and supported workforce is essential to the success of this system. Today’s meeting was a productive step forward in our work to develop a workforce strategy that will help us attract, train, and retain the best possible early childhood educators and staff.”
- The Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
“The health and well-being of our children depends on a strong and healthy early learning and child care system. Today’s meeting was an important opportunity to discuss the long-term sustainability of our Canada-wide system partnership. We agreed to explore options for sustainable funding and to work together to ensure that all families have access to the care they need.”
- The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health
Background:
- In 2021, the federal government launched a $30 billion investment to create a Canada-wide system of early learning and child care.
- The program provides funding to provinces and territories to expand access to affordable, high-quality care for children under the age of 6.
- The program has already helped to create over 400,000 new child care spaces across Canada.
Contact:
Media Relations Office Families, Children and Social Development Canada 819-934-4121 media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Media Relations Public Health Agency of Canada 613-957-2983 media@hc-sc.gc.ca
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