Towards a national system of early learning and child care

On April 29, 2005 the governments of Canada and Manitoba struck an historic Agreement-in-Principle on early learning and child care. This was followed by a similar agreement between the federal government and the province of Saskatchewan. These agreements are the beginning of what is hoped to be a series of strong bilateral agreements between the federal government and the provinces/territories.

These historic agreements build on a meeting of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers Responsible for Social Services in November 2004 and a subsequent meeting in February 2005. They (with the exception of Quebec) agreed to shared principles to guide the development of a new national system of early learning and child care.

This ISSUE file collects reports, press releases, news articles and other pertinent documents related to these major Canadian policy developments. The file is categorized into government documents, responses, and news articles. Documents are organized from most recent to least recent. Additional resources will be posted as they become available.

New Brunswick

Moving forward on early learning and child care: Agreement-in-principle between the government of Canada and the government of New Brunswick
SOURCE: Government of Canada & Government of New Brunswick, November 24, 2005
Agreement in pdf

Moving forward: Governments of Canada and New Brunswick sign an agreement on early learning and child care
SOURCE: SOURCE: Government of Canada & Government of New Brunswick, November 24, 2005
Press release in html

Prince Edward Island

Moving forward on early learning and child care: Agreement-in-principle between the government of Canada and the government of Prince Edward Island
SOURCE: Government of Canada & Government of Prince Edward Island, November 24, 2005
Agreement in pdf

Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island sign an agreement on early learning and child care
SOURCE: SOURCE: Government of Canada & Government of Prince Edward Island, November 24, 2005
Press release in html

British Columbia

Moving forward on early learning and child care: Agreement-in-principle between the government of Canada and the government of British Columbia
SOURCE: Government of Canada & Government of British Columbia, September 29, 2005
Agreement in pdf

Governments of Canada and British Columbia sign an Agreement on Early Learning and Child Care
SOURCE: Government of Canada & Government of British Columbia, September 29, 2005
Press release in html

Quebec

Canada-Quebec agreement on early learning and child care
SOURCE: Government of Canada & Government of Quebec, October 28, 2005
Agreement in pdf

Government of Canada and Quebec sign first funding agreement on early learning and child care
Government of Canada. Ministry of Social Development, October 28, 2005
Press release in html

Alberta

Moving forward on early learning and child care: Agreement-in-principle between the government of Canada and the government of Alberta
SOURCE: Government of Canada & Government of Alberta, July 7, 2005
Agreement in pdf

Governments of Canada and Alberta sign an agreement on early learning and child care
SOURCE: Government of Canada. Ministry of Social Development, July 7, 2005
Press release in html

Nova Scotia

Moving forward on early learning and child care: Agreement-in-principle between the government of Canada and the government of Nova Scotia
SOURCE: Government of Canada & Government of Nova Scotia, May 16, 2005
Agreement in pdf

Moving Forward: Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia sign agreement on early learning and child care
SOURCE: Government of Canada. Ministry of Social Development, May 16, 2005
Press release in html

Newfoundland and Labrador

Moving forward on early learning and child care: Agreement-in-principle between the government of Canada and the government of Newfoundland and Labrador
SOURCE: Government of Canada & Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, May 13, 2005
Agreement in pdf

Moving Forward: Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador sign agreement on early learning and child care
SOURCE: Government of Canada. Ministry of Social Development. May 13, 2005
Press release in html

Ontario

Moving forward on early learning and child care: Agreement-in-principle between the government of Canada and the government of Ontario
SOURCE: Government of Canada & Government of Ontario, May 6, 2005
Agreement in pdf

Moving Forward: Governments of Canada and Ontario sign an agreement on early learning and child care
SOURCE: Government of Canada. Ministry of Social Development, May 6, 2005
Press release in html

Saskatchewan

Moving forward on early learning and child care: Agreement-in-principle between the government of Canada and the government of Saskatchewan
SOURCE: Government of Canada & Government of Saskatchewan, April 29, 2005
Agreement in pdf

Moving forward: Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan sign an agreement on early learning and child care
SOURCE: Government of Canada. Ministry of Social Development, April 29, 2005
Press release in html

Manitoba

Governments of Canada and Manitoba sign funding agreement on early learning and child care
SOURCE: Government of Canada. Social Development Canada, November 18, 2005
Press release in html

Moving forward on early learning and child care: Manitoba’s action plan -- Next steps
SOURCE: Government of Manitoba. Department of Family Service and Housing, July 12, 2005
Action plan in pdf

Moving forward on early learning and child care: Agreement-in-principle between the government of Canada and the government of Manitoba
SOURCE: Government of Canada & Government of Manitoba, April 29, 2005
Agreement in pdf

Moving forward: Governments of Canada and Manitoba sign an agreement on early learning and child care
SOURCE: Government of Canada. Ministry of Social Development, April 29, 2005
Press release in html

F/P/T Ministers' meetings

Federal-Provincial/Territorial Social Services Ministers reach consensus on early learning and child care
SOURCE: Government of Canada. Ministry of Social Development, February 11, 2005
Press release in html

Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Social Services Ottawa, Ontario
SOURCE: Government of Canada. Ministry of Social Development, November 2, 2004.
Press release in html

RESPONSES

Responses to British Columbia agreement

BC’s child care action plan community consultation: Let’s send a strong message
SOURCE: Child Care Advocacy Forum, November 1, 2005
Document in pdf

Child care news on the signing of the federal provincial agreement. What did the advocates say?
SOURCE: Coalition of Child Care Advocates of British Columbia, October 1, 2005
News article selections in html

BC parents do not endorse upcoming federal/provincial child care agreement
SOURCE: Parents for Child Care, September 26, 2005
Letters in html

Responses to Alberta agreement

Alberta child care: now the province must act to improve access, quality
SOURCE: Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada, July 7, 2005
Press release in html

Alberta deal props open the door to big box child care
SOURCE: Canadian Union of Public Employees, July 7, 2005
Press release in html

Responses to Nova Scotia agreement

What to watch for in child care deal between N.S. and Feds
SOURCE: Canadian Union of Public Employees, May 13 2005
Press release in html

Responses to Newfoundland and Labrador agreement

Child care: latest deal doesn't fix patchwork
SOURCE: Canadian Union of Public Employees, May 13, 2005
Press release in html

Responses to Ontario agreement

Coalition welcomes important bi-lateral agreement on early learning and care
SOURCE: Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care, May 6, 2005
Press release in html

Child care: Ontario deal highlights importance of right start
SOURCE: Canadian Union of Public Employees, May 6, 2005
Press release in html

Liberal child care agreement in Ontario risks "Wal-Marting"
SOURCE: New Democratic Party, May 6, 2005
Press release in html

OCBCC Letter to Minister Bountrogianni
SOURCE: Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care, April 29, 2005
Letter in html

Responses to Manitoba and Saskatchewan agreements

Advocates say child care agreement sets bar for others
SOURCE: Child Care Advocacy Association, April 29, 2005
Press release in html

Child care deal is a good down payment. Success depends on federal budget
SOURCE: Child Care Coalition of Manitoba, April 29, 2005
Press release in html

CCCF lauds groundbreaking child care deal
SOURCE: Canadian Child Care Federation, April 29, 2005
Press release in html

Child care deal good basis for developing a quality system. Investment in workforce will pay off, says sector
SOURCE: Child Care Human Resources Sector Council, April 29, 2005
Press release in pdf

Manitoba child care deal sets cross-Canada standard
SOURCE: Canadian Union of Public Employees, April 29, 2005
Press release in html

BC politicians challenged to meet or exceed Manitoba and Saskatchewan child care agreements
SOURCE: Coalition of Child Care Advocates BC, April 29, 2005
Press release in html

NDP commends Prairie child care agreements
SOURCE: New Democratic Party, April 29, 2005
Press release in html

Responses to F/P/T meetings

Advocates to ministers: child care system will take bold new steps
SOURCE: Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada, November 3, 2004
Press release in html

CCCF lauds feds and provinces/territories on historic child care meeting
SOURCE: Canadian Child Care Federation, November 3, 2004
Press release in html

No more excuses, it’s time to move on national child care
SOURCE: Canada’s New Democratic Party, November 2, 2004
Press release in html

PRE-MEETING COMMUNICATION

Advocates release checklist to evaluate national child care talks
SOURCE: Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada, November 1, 2004
Press release in pdf

Open letter to: Minister Ken Dryden & Provincial/territorial social development ministers
by Charles Coffey & Margaret Norrie McCain
SOURCE: Atkinson Foundation, October 28, 2004
Letter in Word

Open letter to Honourable Ken Dryden and the provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for child care
SOURCE: Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada and various organizations and individuals, October 27, 2004
Letter in pdf

OTHER RELATED DOCUMENTS
From patchwork to framework: A child care strategy for Canada SOURCE: Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada, November 2, 2004 - Report in pdf - Highlights in pdf Pathways to progress: Structural solutions to address child poverty SOURCE: Campaign 2000, May 2004. Report in pdf Strengthening Canada's social and economic foundations: Next steps for early childhood education and child care by Martha Friendly SOURCE: Policy Options, March 2004 issue Article in pdf
NEWS ARTICLES
November 2005 Dryden achieves 10 child care agreements by Gloria Galloway & Rheal Seguin SOURCE: Globe and Mail, November 25, 2005 Excerpts in html Province signs day care deal SOURCE: CBC News, November 24, 2005 Excerpts in html Federal cash won't go straight to daycare by Kevin Dougherty SOURCE: Montreal Gazette, November 10, 2005 Excerpts in html Northern territories looking for extra child care funding SOURCE: CBC News, November 5, 2005 Excerpts in html October 2005 East Coast premiers lobby for new deal on daycare dollars by Brian Laghi SOURCE: Globe and Mail, October 29, 2005 Excerpts in html Quebec to get special deal by Gloria Galloway SOURCE: Globe and Mail, October 28, 2005 Excerpts in html Alberta plans higher child care pay; Stay-at-home parents to get extra cash by Bill Graveland SOURCE: Globe and Mail, October 15, 2005 Excerpts in html September 2005 B.C. poised to join child care deal as alarms raised about for-profit centres by Sue Bailey SOURCE: Canadian Press, September 28, 2005 Excerpts in html Pelletier slams feds on daycare. PM wants to use Quebec system as model. Provincial minister opposes national norms by Kevin Dougherty SOURCE: Montreal Gazette, September 23, 2005 Excerpts in html Martin to pledge $633 million for child care, learning in B.C. by Peter O’Neil & Miro Cernetig SOURCE: Vancouver Sun, September 7, 2005 Excerpts in html August 2005 Advocate says B.C. dithering on child care: Government accused of lacking any plan to use federal funding by Jeff Rud SOURCE: Victoria Times-Colonist, August 12, 2005 Excerpts in html Day care advocates press for funding deal SOURCE: CBC News, August 9, 2005 Excerpts in html July 2005 Ontario to provide 25,000 new day care spaces SOURCE: Canadian Press, July 28, 2005 Excerpts in html Province thinking over how to spend child care money SOURCE: CBC News, July 8, 2005 Excerpts in html Alberta poised to sign child care funding deal with Ottawa this week SOURCE: Canadian Press, July 5, 2005 Excerpts in html The gathering storm: A controversial Conservative initiative should blow the child care debate wide open by John Geddes SOURCE: Maclean's Magazine, July 1, 2005 Excerpts in html June 2005 Child care in New Brunswick by Carolyn Ferns SOURCE: Globe and Mail, June 29, 2005 Excerpts in html Lord wants broad range of child care options by Gloria Galloway SOURCE: Globe and Mail, June 28, 2005 Excerpts in html It's time to act on child care by Margaret Norrie McCain SOURCE: Fredricton Daily Gleaner, June 24, 2005 Excerpts in html May 2005 More money for child care: Gillan SOUCE: CBC Prince Edward Island, May 17, 2005 Excerpts in html Dollars for day care Amy Smith Halifax Chronicle Herald, May 17, 2005 Excerpts in html Day-care deal done, but... Peter McLaughlin SOURCE: Halifax Daily News, May 13, 2005 Excerpts in html Child care cash linked to nuclear reactor deal Andrew Mills SOURCE: Toronto Star, May 13, 2005 Excepts in html Province counting on federal money to improve child care Siri Agrell SOURCE: National Post, May 12, 2005 Excerpts in html Ottawa, Ontario hail $1.9B child care deal SOURCE: CBC News, May 6, 2005 Excerpts in html Alberta says it's reached child-care deal SOURCE: CBC News, May 4, 2005 Excerpts in html April 2005 Martin vows child care funding by Terry Weber SOURCE: Globe and Mail, April 29, 2005 Excerpts in html Manitoba joins Ottawa's child care plan SOURCE: CBC News, April 29, 2005 Excerpts in html Two provinces join Ottawa’s child care plan SOURCE: CBC News, April 29, 2005 Excerpts in html Deal on child care expected by James Wood SOURCE: Star Phoenix, April 29, 2005 Excerpts in html Program to benefit thousands of kids by Rob Ferguson & Andrew Mills SOURCE: Toronto Star, April 29, 2005 Excerpts in html Manitoba makes a deal on daycare by Andrew Mills SOURCE: Toronto Star, April 28, 2005 Excerpts in html Quebec isn’t rushing into daycare talks by Mike De Souza SOURCE: Montreal Gazette, April 27, 2005 November 2004 Ministers agree on national child care program SOURCE: Canadian Press, November 2, 2004 Excerpts in html Some provinces skeptical about federal daycare plan by Rheal Seguin & Gloria Galloway SOURCE: Globe and Mail, November 2, 2004 Excerpts in html No more patchwork child care by Martha Friendly and Peggy Nash SOURCE: Globe and Mail, November 1, 2004 Excerpts in html Advocates, feds disagree on child care by Terry Pedwell SOURCE: Canadian Press, November 1, 2004 Excerpts in html Child care advocates want $10-billion a year program by Margaret Philp SOURCE: Globe and Mail, November 1, 2004 Excerpts in html

		»  List of topics

This list in not intended to be an exhaustive examination of this topic; for a more comprehensive list, search the Childcare Resource and Research Unit resource library catalogue Childcare Information Resource Collection (CIRC).