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The Federal Provincial Territorial agreements and child care

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Notes for panel presentation at the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA) National Symposium
Author: 
Anderson, Lynell
Format: 
Speech
Publication Date: 
19 Sep 2005

Excerpts from the presentation:

In the brief time we have I will focus on the relationship between the long term goals of a high quality, universal, pan-Canadian child care system and the current reality of our existing FPT agreements. I'll try to describe 2 things:

- The relationship between goals and reality in terms of public funding, public policy and public accountability
- Some of the barriers that we still face in trying to achieve a pan-Canadian child care system, particularly given our recent experiences with these FPT agreements.

Given the overwhelming evidence about the need for and benefits of child care, the good news is that Canada is finally beginning to move forward. The country's financial commitments to services and supports for families and young children have grown in recent years.

While this public investment is essential, and we need more, how these public funds are invested is also critical. Effective child care systems can only exist in the presence of a strong public policy framework. Layering new funding on top of the current patchwork will not provide the desired outcomes for children, women, families and communities. Nor will it provide the predicted economic returns.

In order to achieve the child care goals of tomorrow, we need to invest new funds appropriately starting today.

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