Canada-Yukon Early Learning and Child Care Agreement – 2020-2021
On this page
- Vision for Early Learning and Child Care
- Early Learning and Child Care objectives and areas of investment
- Period of agreement
- Financial provisions
- Accountability
- Long-term collaboration
- Communications
- Dispute resolution
- Amendments to the Agreement
- Equality of treatment
- Termination
- Notice
- General
- Annex 1: Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework
- Annex 2: Yukon’s action plan
Between:
Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada (hereinafter referred to as “Canada” or “Government of Canada”) as represented by the Minister of Employment and Social Development styled as the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (herein referred to as “the federal Minister”)
and
Her Majesty the Queen in Right of the Territory of Yukon (hereinafter referred to as “Yukon” or “Government of Yukon”) as represented by the Minister of Health and Social Services (herein referred to as “the Yukon Minister”)
Referred to collectively as the “Parties”
Preamble
Whereas, Canada and Yukon agreed to a Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework on June 12, 2017 which articulated their shared vision for early learning and child care and describes their approach to achieve this vision;
Whereas, the Department of Employment and Social Development Act authorizes the federal Minister to enter into agreements with the provinces and territories, for the purpose of facilitating the formulation, coordination and implementation of any program or policy within the mandate of the federal Minister;
Whereas, the Government Organization Act authorizes the Yukon Minister to enter in agreements with the Government of Canada under which Canada undertakes to provide funding toward costs incurred by the Government of Yukon for the provision of early learning and child care programs and services;
Whereas, Canada has, pursuant to its Policy on Transfer Payments, established a transfer payment program to provide funds to the provincial and territorial governments for the development and delivery of regulated early learning and child care programs and services for children under six years of age, with consideration for families more in need;
Whereas, Canada and the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Métis National Council jointly released the co-developed Indigenous ELCC Framework in September 2018. This Framework establishes overarching principles and sets a vision for happy and safe Indigenous children and families, strong cultural identity, and a comprehensive and coordinated system that is anchored in self-determination, centered on children and grounded in culture; The Indigenous ELCC Framework can be used as a guide for all actors involved in Indigenous ELCC;
Whereas, Yukon invests in early learning and child care for Indigenous children; and
Whereas, Canada and Yukon will continue to work together towards a one-year extension of this agreement and a renewed Canada-Yukon Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.
Now therefore, Canada and Yukon agree as follows:
1.0 Vision for Early Learning and Child Care
1.1 Canada and Yukon agree that the long term vision, principles and objectives for early learning and child care, which are set out in the Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework that is attached as an Annex (Annex 1), will guide the investment of funds provided under this Agreement.
2.0 Early Learning and Child Care objectives and areas of investment
2.1 Objectives
2.1.1 Canada and Yukon agree that over the period of this Agreement, with financial support from Canada, Yukon will further build its early learning and child care system by addressing local, regional and system priorities that have an impact on families more in need by increasing the quality, accessibility, affordability, flexibility and inclusivity in early learning and child care, towards achieving the objectives of:
- building on existing territorial investments in early learning and child care programs to support expansion of programs that continue to support children, parents, families and communities
Yukon’s policy towards early learning and child care and approach to achieving these objectives is set out in their Action Plan attached as Annex 2.
2.2 Eligible areas of investment
2.2.1 Yukon agrees to prioritize funds provided by Canada under this Agreement in regulated early learning and child care programs and services for children under the age of six where:
- regulated programs and services are defined as those that meet standards that are established and/or monitored by provincial/territorial governments
- early learning and child care programs and services are defined as those supporting direct care and early learning for children in settings including, but not limited to, regulated child care centres, regulated family child care homes, early learning centres, preschools and nursery schools
2.2.2 In developing and delivering its early learning and child care programs and services, Yukon agrees to take into account the needs of official language minority communities in Yukon, as “official language” is understood under Canada’s Official Languages Act.
2.2.3 Types of investments include: capital and operating funding for regulated early learning and child care, fee subsidies, training, professional development and support for the early childhood workforce, quality assurance, parent’s information and referral, and/or administration costs incurred by Yukon in implementing and administering this Agreement.
2.2.4 Canada and Yukon also agree to promote, define, and deliver identifiable innovative approaches to enhance the quality, accessibility, affordability, flexibility, and inclusivity of early learning and child care systems, with consideration for those more in need.
2.2.5 Canada and Yukon agree that funding will be targeted toward programs and activities, as described above, for children under the age of six, that will have an impact on families more in need such as lower-income families, Indigenous families, lone-parent families, families in underserved communities; those working non-standard hours; and/or families with children with varying abilities. Needs also include having limited or no access to early learning and child care programs and services in the children’s official language, as “official language” is understood under Canada’s Official Languages Act.
2.2.6 In 2020-2021, under extraordinary circumstances, Yukon may allocate funding under this agreement to support short-term measures to minimize the impacts of COVID-19 on Yukon’s ELCC system. These measures must be aligned with the principles of the Multilateral ELCC Framework and be used to sustain ELCC programs and services.
3.0 Period of agreement
3.1 This Agreement shall come into effect upon the last signature being affixed and will remain in effect until March 31, 2020, unless terminated in writing by Canada in accordance with the terms hereof in section 11. Funding provided under this Agreement, in accordance with section 4, will cover the period from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2020.
3.2 Amendments to this agreement shall come into effect upon the last signature being affixed and will remain in effect until March 31, 2021, unless terminated in writing by Canada or Yukon in accordance with the terms hereof in section 11. Funding provided under this amended Agreement, in accordance with section 4, will cover the period from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.
3.3 Renewal of bilateral agreements
3.3.1 Canada commits that the annual allocation for the period 2021-2022 until 2027-2028 will be no less than the annual allocation of this current agreement. Funding for future years will be provided upon the renewal of bilateral agreements conditional on Canada’s acceptance of new action plans and informed by the assessment of the results achieved under the action plan set out in Annex 2. The period for any renewed agreement is yet to be determined.
3.3.2 The renewal will provide Yukon and Canada the opportunity to review and course correct, if required, and realign new priorities in future bilateral agreements based on progress made to date.
4.0 Financial provisions
4.1 These contributions are in addition and not in lieu of those that Canada currently pays to Yukon through the Canada Social Transfer in order to support early childhood development and early learning and child care within Yukon.
4.2 Allocation to Yukon
4.2.1 Canada has designated the following maximum amounts to be transferred in total to all provinces and territories under this initiative with a fixed base rate of $2 million per year for each province and territory and the balance of the funding on a per capita basis for the period starting on April 1, 2017 and ending on March 31, 2021.
- $399,669,692 for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2017
- $399,347,695 for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2018
- $399,347,695 for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2019
- $399,347,694 for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2020
4.2.2 Subject to annual adjustment based on the formula described in section 4.2.3, Yukon’s estimated share of the amounts described in section 4.2.1 will be:
| Fiscal Year | Estimated amount to be paid to YukonFootnote a (subject to annual adjustment) |
|---|---|
| 2017-2018 | $2,391,493 |
| 2018-2019 | $2,391,156 |
| 2019-2020 | $2,391,156 |
| 2020-2021 | $2,405,774 |
Canada commits that the annual allocation for the period 2021-2022 until 2027-2028 will be no less than the annual allocation of this current agreement under the conditions set in section 3.2.1.
4.2.3 The final yearly amount to be paid to Yukon will be calculated using the following formula F × K/L, where:
- “F” is the annual total funding amount transferred to provinces and territories minus the base funding
- “K” is the total population of Yukon, as determined using annual population estimates from Statistics Canada
- “L” is the total population of Canada, as determined using annual population estimates from Statistics Canada
4.2.4 For the purposes of the formula in section 4.2.3, the population of Yukon for each Fiscal Year and the total population of all provinces and territories for that Fiscal Year are the respective populations as determined on the basis of the quarterly preliminary estimates of the respective populations on July 1 of that Fiscal Year released in September of that Fiscal Year by Statistics Canada.
4.3 In this Agreement, “Fiscal Year” means the period commencing on April 1 of any calendar year and terminating on March 31 of the immediately following calendar year.
4.4 Payment
4.4.1 Canada’s contribution will be paid in approximately equal semi annual installments as follows:
The total payment for fiscal year 2017-2018 will be paid within 30 days after the signatures from both parties are affixed to the Agreement.
In 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, the first installment will be paid on (or about) June 15 of each Fiscal Year.
In 2020-2021, the first installment will be paid within 30 days after the signatures from both parties are affixed to the Agreement.
The second installment will be paid on (or about) November 15 of each Fiscal Year.
The amount of the first installment will be an amount equal to 50% of the notional amount of Canada’s maximum contribution to Yukon for the Fiscal Year, which will be calculated in the manner described in sections 4.2.3 and 4.2.4.
The amount of the second installment will be an amount equal to the balance of Canada’s contribution to Yukon for the Fiscal Year based on the actual amount of the contribution determined under sections 4.2.3 and 4.2.4 for the Fiscal Year.
Canada will notify Yukon at the beginning of the Fiscal Year of their notional amount. The notional amount will be based on the Statistics Canada quarterly preliminary population estimates on July 1 of the preceding Fiscal Year. Canada will notify Yukon of the actual amount of the second installment in each Fiscal Year as determined under the formula set out in section 4.2.3 as soon as possible following the release in September of each year of the Statistics Canada quarterly preliminary population estimates referred to in section 4.2.4.
Canada shall withhold payment of its second installment for the Fiscal Year if Yukon has failed to provide its annual audited financial statement for the previous Fiscal Year in accordance with section 5.2.1 (d) until such time as the annual audited statement is provided.
Payment of Canada’s funding for each Fiscal Year of this Agreement is subject to an annual appropriation by the Parliament of Canada for this purpose.
4.5 Maximum annual contribution in respect of administration costs
4.5.1 Canada’s contribution in respect of Yukon’s administration costs referred to in section 2.2.3 shall not exceed:
In Fiscal Years 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2020-2021 an amount up to 10% of the maximum amount payable for those Fiscal Years.
4.6 Carry Forward
4.6.1 At the request of Yukon and subject to the approval of Canada's Treasury Board, Yukon may retain and carry forward to Fiscal Year 2018-2019, an amount of up to 50% of the contribution paid to Yukon for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 under section 4.2.3 that is in excess of the amount of the eligible costs actually incurred by Yukon in that Fiscal Year, and may only use the amount carried forward to 2018-2019 for expenditures on eligible areas of investment under section 2.2 in the subsequent Fiscal Year.
4.6.2 For greater certainty, any amount carried forward to Fiscal year 2018-2019 under this section is supplementary to the maximum amount payable to Yukon under section 4.2.3 of this Agreement in 2018-2019.
4.6.3 The amount carried forward, pursuant to section 4.6.1 must be spent by March 31, 2019. Yukon is not entitled to retain any such carried forward amounts that remain unexpended after March 31, 2019, nor is it entitled to retain any balance of Canada's contribution for fiscal year 2018-2019 paid pursuant to section 4.2.3 that remains unexpended at the end of that fiscal year. Such amounts are to be repaid to Canada in accordance with section 4.7.
4.6.4 At the request of Yukon and subject to the approval of Canada's Treasury Board, Yukon may retain and carry forward to Fiscal Year 2019-2020, an amount of up to 10% of the contribution paid to Yukon for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 under section 4.2.3 that is in excess of the amount of the eligible costs actually incurred by Yukon in that Fiscal Year, and may only use the amount carried forward to 2019-2020 for expenditures on eligible areas of investment under section 2.2 in the subsequent Fiscal Year.
4.6.5 At the request of Yukon and subject to the approval of Canada’s Treasury Board, Yukon may retain and carry forward to Fiscal Year 2020-2021, an amount of up to 10% of the contribution paid to Yukon for 2019-2020 under section 4.2.3 that is in excess of the amount of eligible costs actually incurred by Yukon in that fiscal year, and may only use the amount carried forward to 2020-2021 for expenditures on eligible areas of investment under section 2.2 incurred in that Fiscal Year.
4.6.6 For greater certainty, any amount carried forward to Fiscal year 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 under this section is supplementary to the maximum amount payable to Yukon under section 4.2.3 of this Agreement in 2019-2020 and 2020-2021.
4.6.7 The amount carried forward, pursuant to section 4.6.4 and 4.6.5 must be spent by March 31 of the subsequent Fiscal Year. Yukon is not entitled to retain any such carried forward amounts that remain unexpended after March 31 of the subsequent Fiscal Year, nor is it entitled to retain any balance of Canada's contribution for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 paid pursuant to section 4.2.3 that remains unexpended at the end of that Fiscal Year. Such amounts are to be repaid to Canada in accordance with section 4.7.
4.6.8 In the event that this amendment is approved after March 31, 2020, the parties agree that it is an extension of the April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2020 agreement from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 and as such carry forward provisions still apply.
4.7 Repayment of overpayment
4.7.1 In the event payments made to Yukon exceed the amount to which Yukon is entitled under the Agreement, the amount of the excess is a debt due to Canada and shall be repaid to Canada upon receipt of notice to do so and within the period specified in the notice.
4.8 Use of Funds
4.8.1 Canada and Yukon agree that funds provided under this Agreement will only be used by Yukon in accordance with the areas for investment outlined in section 2.2 of this Agreement.
4.8.2 Canada and Yukon agree that, within each Fiscal Year of the period of this Agreement, Yukon may move funding between the individual programming categories outlined in its Action Plan in Annex 2 to ensure maximum use of funding. Yukon agrees to notify Canada in writing of any such change in funding allocation, including the rationale for the change.
5.0 Accountability
5.1 Action Plan
5.1.2 Yukon has completed and shared its Action Plan for the years
2017-2018 until 2019-2020 of federal funding with Canada as set out in the Canada-Yukon Early Learning and Child Care Agreement 2017-2020. Upon signature of this Agreement by both Parties, Yukon will publicly release its Action Plan which:
- identifies specific priority areas for investment and objectives, within the Framework’s parameters, which builds upon the progress to date in the quality, accessibility, affordability, flexibility and/or inclusivity of their early learning and child care system, with consideration for those more in need
- describes how Yukon plans to continue to address the early learning and child care needs of its children/families more in need, including families that have limited access to programs and services in their official language
- outlines planned innovation spending
- demonstrates that federal investments will be incremental, and will not displace existing Yukon early learning and child care spending, in particular spending dedicated to Indigenous populations
- outlines the indicators that will be reported on annually according to their planned investments
- identifies specific targets for each indicator that will be reported on annually for tracking progress in relation to the objectives of the Agreement
- identifies additional jurisdiction-specific indicators for tracking progress in relation to the objectives of the Agreement
- a description of consultation processes referred to in section 5.1.2, the type of groups consulted and annual priorities related to stakeholder feedback
5.1.3 Yukon will complete targeted engagement with parents, child care providers, experts, Indigenous peoples, official language minority communities and other interested Yukoners as an important step in developing and revising its action plan. The engagement will include, but is not limited to, letters sent to First Nation government leadership offering opportunities to share views and thoughts, surveys targeted at child care operator’s/day homes and parents/guardians including low-income families and meetings with child care advocacy groups, early learning and child care staff and the French language community. The goal of this engagement is to gather input on how to better address the early learning and child care needs of Yukon communities.
5.1.4 The Action Plan may be amended by Yukon with mutual consent from Canada in a manner consistent with the spirit and intent of this Agreement if deemed necessary by Yukon to reflect shifts in approach necessitated by changing circumstances or priorities. An amended Action Plan will still meet the undertakings set out in the Framework concluded by Canada and provinces and territories on June 12, 2017. Yukon will share such amendments with the federal government and release any such amendments publicly.
5.1.5 Yukon submitted an updated Action Plan for fiscal year 2020-2021, as set out in Annex 2, updating their areas of investments and targets, as necessary, outlined in its Action Plan for Fiscal Years 2017-2018 until 2019-2020. This updated Action Plan may include changes to programming and program delivery provided that the more affordable child care spaces federally funded continue to be supported as much as possible, subject to extraordinary circumstances. Upon signature of this Agreement by both Parties, the updates to this Action Plan will be publicly released.
5.2 Reporting
5.2.1 Yukon agrees to provide all available baseline data on the agreed-to indicators within 30 calendar days following the signing of this Agreement.
5.2.2 Beginning in 2018 to 2019 and by no later than October 1 of the subsequent Fiscal Year during the Period of this Agreement, Yukon agrees to:
- report to the people of Yukon and to Canada on the results and expenditures of early learning and child care programs and services. The report shall include the number of children benefiting from subsidies, number of licensed early learning and child care spaces broken down by age of child and type of setting. The report shall show separately the results attributable to the funding provided by Canada under this Agreement
- continue to provide to Canada data required for the publication of the joint Federal-Provincial/Territorial report on Public Investments in Early Childhood Education and Care in Canada
- provide to Canada an Annual Report in the format and manner decided jointly by Canada and Yukon. The report shall show separately the results attributable to the funding provided by Canada under this Agreement and shall include:
- brief description of the activities, expenditures and results of the Canada- Yukon Early Learning and Child Care Agreement as set out in Annex 2
- results achieved according to the indicators and targets referred to in Annex 2
- impact on families more in need, including families that have limited access to programs and services in their official language referred to in Annex 2
- results achieved on innovation referred to in Annex 2
- description of any consultation processes undertaken and the stakeholder groups consulted consistent with section 5.1.2
- any evaluation activities that may have been undertaken in the Fiscal Year, as available
- provide to Canada an audited financial statement of revenues received from Canada under this Agreement during the Fiscal Year:
- the revenue section of the statement shall show the amount received from Canada under this Agreement during the Fiscal Year
- the total amount of funding used for early learning and child care programs and services under section 2.2
- the administration costs incurred by Yukon in developing and administering early learning and child care programs under section 2.2.3
- if applicable, the amount of any amount carried forward by Yukon under section 4.6
- if applicable, the amount of any surplus funds that are to be repaid to Canada under section 4.7
The financial statement shall be prepared in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and the audit shall be performed by the Yukon Auditor General or his/her delegate, or by an independent public accounting firm registered under the laws of Yukon and shall be conducted in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Auditing Standards.
5.2.3 Canada, with prior notice to Yukon, may incorporate all or any part or parts of the said report into any public report that Canada may prepare for its own purposes, including any reports to the Parliament of Canada or reports that may be made public.
5.3 Audit
5.3.1 Yukon will ensure that expenditure information presented in the annual report is, in accordance with Yukon’s standard accounting practices, complete and accurate.
5.4 Evaluation
5.4.1 As per established policies and processes with respect to program effectiveness, Yukon will evaluate programs and services receiving funds provided under this Agreement and make public the results of any such evaluations.
6.0 Long-term collaboration
6.1 Canada and Yukon agree to share and release data as available, and knowledge, research and information on effective and innovative practices in early learning and child care, to further support the development of and reporting on quality and outcomes. Canada and Yukon agree to work together, and with stakeholders, towards the development of common quality and outcome measures that could be included in bilateral agreements in the future that could reinforce the Framework’s long-term vision.
6.2 Canada and Yukon agree to work together to improve data collection and dissemination on key early learning and child care information for children under age six.
7.0 Communications
7.1 Canada and Yukon agree on the importance of communicating with citizens about the objectives of this Agreement in an open, transparent, effective and proactive manner through appropriate public information activities.
7.2 Each government will receive the appropriate credit and visibility when investments financed through funds granted under this Agreement are announced to the public.
7.3 Canada reserves the right to conduct public communications, announcements, events, outreach and promotional activities about the Framework and bilateral agreements. Canada agrees to give Yukon 10 days advance notice of public communications related to the Framework, bilateral agreements, and results of the investments of this Agreement.
7.4 Yukon reserves the right to conduct public communications, announcements, events, outreach and promotional activities about the Framework and bilateral agreements.Yukon agrees to give Canada 10 days advance notice and advance copies of public communications related to the Framework, bilateral agreements, and results of the investments of this Agreement.
8.0 Dispute resolution
8.1 Canada and Yukon are committed to working together and avoiding disputes through government-to-government information exchange, advance notice, early consultation, and discussion, clarification, and resolution of issues, as they arise.
8.2 If at any time either Canada or Yukon is of the opinion that the other Party has failed to comply with any of its obligations or undertakings under this Agreement or is in breach of any term or condition of the Agreement, Canada or Yukon, as the case may be, may notify the other party in writing of the failure or breach. Upon such notice, Canada and Yukon will endeavour to resolve the issue in dispute bilaterally through their Designated Officials.
8.3 If a dispute cannot be resolved by Designated Officials, then the dispute will be referred to the Deputy Ministers of Canada and Yukon most responsible for early learning and child care, and if it cannot be resolved by them, then the federal Minister and the Yukon Minister shall endeavour to resolve the dispute.
9.0 Amendments to the agreement
9.1 This Agreement, including all attached annexes, except Annex 1, may be amended at any time by mutual consent of the Parties. To be valid, any amendments shall be in writing and signed, in the case of Canada, by the federal Minister, and in the case of Yukon, by the Yukon Minister.
10.0 Equality of treatment
10.1 During the term of this Agreement, if another province or territory, except the province of Quebec, which is not part of the Framework, negotiates and enters into an Early Learning and Child Care Agreement with Canada, or negotiates and enters into an amendment to such an agreement and if, in the reasonable opinion of Yukon, any provision of that agreement or amended agreement is more favourable to that province or territory than terms set forth in this Agreement, Canada agrees to amend this Agreement in order to afford similar treatment to Yukon, if requested by Yukon. This includes any provision of the bilateral agreement except for the Financial Provisions set out under section 4.0. This amendment shall be retroactive to the date on which the Agreement or the amendment to such an Agreement with the other province or territory, as the case may be, comes into force.
10.2 Canada will make publicly available up-to-date Early Learning and Child Care Agreements entered into with all provinces and territories, including any amendments, by posting them on a Government of Canada website.
11.0 Termination
11.1 Canada may terminate this Agreement at any time if the terms of this Agreement are not respected by Yukon by giving at least 6 months written notice of its intention to terminate.
11.2 As the effective date of termination of this Agreement under section 11.1, Canada shall have no obligation to make any further payments to Yukon after the date of effective termination.
12.0 Notice
12.1 Any notice, information or document provided for under this Agreement will be effectively given if delivered or sent by letter, postage or other charges prepaid. Any notice that is delivered will have been received in delivery; and, except in periods of postal disruption, any notice mailed will be deemed to have been received eight calendar days after being mailed.
The address for notice or communication to Canada shall be:
Social Policy Directorate
140 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau QC K1A 0J9
The address for notice or communication to Yukon shall be:
1 Hospital Road
Whitehorse YT Y1A 3H7
13.0 General
13.1 This Agreement, including Annexes 1 and 2, comprise the entire agreement entered into by the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
13.2 This Agreement is based on the Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework, Annex 1, concluded on June 12, 2017.
13.3 This Agreement shall be interpreted according to the laws of Canada and Yukon.
13.4 No member of the House of Commons or of the Senate of Canada or of the Legislature of Yukon shall be admitted to any share or part of this Agreement, or to any benefit arising therefrom.
13.5 If for any reason a provision of this Agreement that is not a fundamental term is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be or to have become invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, it will be deemed to be severable and will be deleted from this Agreement, but all the other provisions of this Agreement will continue to be valid and enforceable.
13.6 This Agreement is drafted in English at the request of the Parties. Les parties ont convenu que le présent Accord soit rédigé en anglais.
Signed on behalf of Canada by the Minister of Employment and Social Development styled as the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development at Gatineau this 11th day of June, 2020.
[Signed by] The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
Signed on behalf of Yukon by the Minister of Health and Social Services at Whitehorse this 2nd day of July, 2020.
[Signed by] The Honourable Pauline Frost, Minister of Health and Social Services
Annex 1: Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework
Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers most responsible for Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) agree on the importance of supporting parents, families and communities in their efforts to ensure the best possible future for their children. For more details on this agreement, please consult the Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework.
Annex 2: Yukon’s Action Plan
For Yukon’s 2017-2020 Action Plan, see Annex 2: Yukon action plan
Yukon’s Updated Action Plan for 2020-2021
This one year ELCC Action Plan continues the work of the 2017-2020 Action Plan and articulates how the Department of Health and Social Services will continue working towards achieving the goals mentioned above and allocate the resources received from the Federal Government in support of ELCC programs and services as part of the Multilateral ELCC Framework. In addition to the Multilateral ELCC Framework, the Indigenous ELCC Framework represents the Government of Canada and Indigenous peoples’ work to co-develop a transformative Indigenous framework that reflects the unique cultures, aspirations and priorities of First Nations, Inuit and Métis children across Canada.
Below is a description of the actions that the Department of Health and Social Services will undertake in support of the identified areas of investment. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Yukon’s ability to deliver on initiatives outlined in the updated Action Plan for 2020-2021 may be affected. As such, the targets may not be achieved and expenditures may differ.
| Initiative | Principle(s) supported | Funding | Indicator(s) | Target(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiative #1 Professional development |
|
$40,000 |
|
|
Description of initiative: This initiative provides funding to the Yukon Child Care Association to host a two-day professional development conference for all Yukon’s ECEs.
| Initiative | Principle(s) supported | Funding | Indicator(s) | Target(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiative #2 Education bursaries |
|
$50,000 |
|
|
Description of initiative: This initiative funds both full and part-time bursaries for Yukon students enrolled in early childhood education programs or coursework.
| Initiative | Principle(s) supported | Funding | Indicator(s) | Target(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiative #3 Yukon College trainers |
|
$120,000 |
|
|
Description of initiative: This initiative provides funding to Yukon College to offer onsite coursework to ECEs in Yukon communities. Funding covers costs associated with travel to communities and costs associated with course facilitation including wages, course material and venue fees. This has proven to be effective as on site instructors are able to assist students in the moment and facilitate coursework to an increased number of students in communities.
| Initiative | Principle(s) supported | Funding | Indicator(s) | Target(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiative #4 Direct operating grant (DOG) |
|
$1,295,774 |
|
|
Description of initiative:
Increase in DOG support to programs across Yukon. Yukon plans to pilot a rural childcare strategy with the only two rural non profit programs in Yukon: Watson Lake Daycare (in Watson) and Little Blue Daycare in Dawson City beginning in spring 2020 and run for two years. If the centres enter into this pilot agreement, 100% of their costs will be covered through the DOG. The proposed pilot project will address affordability: Parent fees will be capped at current Yukon subsidy rates. These rates are less than what the centres are currently charging resulting in savings to parents/guardians. This pilot project will also improve program quality through improved training and development of staff and increased support for staff to promote recruitment and retention of educated ECEs. Details surrounding the progress, program evaluation and success of this pilot project will be included in the annual progress report presented to the Government of Canada.
| Initiative | Principle(s) supported | Funding | Indicator(s) | Target(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiative #5 Enhancement fund |
|
$50,000 |
|
|
Description of initiative: This initiative provides funding to licensed child care programs to address health and safety needs.
| Initiative | Principle(s) supported | Funding | Indicator(s) | Target(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiative #6 Grandparents grant |
|
$50,000 |
|
|
Description of initiative: This initiative provides additional funding to grandparents that are acting as the primary caregivers to their grandchildren to access licensed child care. This grant covers 100% of child care costs to a maximum of $1,000 for each child, per month. This funding is taken from the existing child care subsidy funding (the existing maximum subsidy rate is $688 per month) and any overages will be covered by this initiative.
| Initiative | Principle(s) supported | Funding | Indicator(s) | Target(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiative #7 Teen parent grant |
|
$10,000 |
|
|
Description of initiative: This initiative provides additional funding to young parents under the age of 25 who are completing coursework that will result in credit towards a high school diploma to access licensed child care. This grant covers 100% of child care costs to a maximum of $1,000 for each child, per month. This funding is taken from the existing child care subsidy funding (the existing maximum subsidy rate is $688 per month) and any overages will be covered by this initiative.
| Initiative | Principle(s) supported | Funding | Indicator(s) | Target(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiative #8 Intensive treatment child care space |
|
$20,000 |
|
|
Description of initiative: Funding provided to parents enrolling in Mental Wellness and Substance Use treatment, to cover costs associated with licensed child care while participating in treatment programs. This initiative has been modified. Originally, six spaces were held in Yukon licensed child care centres for parents while they accessed treatment. There was not significant uptake in these spaces as many parents were living in communities across Yukon and unable to access these spaces. Going forward, parents accessing treatment will submit a special needs form which will enable funding through the existing child care subsidy program. This initiative will cover 100% of the costs to a maximum of $1,000 for each child, per month. This funding is taken from the existing child care subsidy funding and any overages will be covered by this initiative for the duration of the parent’s treatment as well as a three month period of aftercare. Implementing the program in this way will allow for increased accessibility, particularly in rural Yukon.
| Initiative | Principle(s) supported | Funding | Indicator(s) | Target(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiative #9 Start up funding |
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$20,000 |
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Description of initiative: This initiative provides funding to new licensed child care programs that are starting up.
| Initiative | Principle(s) supported | Funding | Indicator(s) | Target(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiative #10 Supportive programing for licensed child care centers |
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$280,000 |
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Description of initiative: This initiative provides funding to the Child Development Center (CDC) to support Child Care programs and staff through: The “Handle with Care” Program; addressing issues within the child care centre environment; and mentorship of staff. This initiative will incorporate the “Handle With Care” Program, the ASQ program as well as the Supportive Program for Staff. It will also expand to provide these services through the summer months. Detailed reporting on the components of the Supportive Programming initiative will be included in the annual report submitted to the Government of Canada.
| Initiative | Principle(s) supported | Funding | Indicator(s) | Target(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiative #11 Supported child care program |
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$350,000 |
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Description of initiative: This initiative provides funding to support children with disabilities that require additional supports to attend licensed child care programs.
| Initiative | Principle(s) supported | Funding | Indicator(s) | Target(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiative #12 Administration |
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$120,000 |
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Description of initiative: This initiative supports administration of the bilateral agreement and action plan through a position with responsibilities to prepare reports and audits that are required under the agreement.
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