Horizontal initiatives

General information

Name of horizontal initiative: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy

Lead department: Employment and Social Development Canada

Federal partner organizations:

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
• Global Affairs Canada
• Canadian Heritage
• Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Indigenous Services Canada
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
• National Research Council
• Natural Resources Canada
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
• Parks Canada
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Start date of the horizontal initiative: April 1, 2023.

End date of the horizontal initiative: ongoing.

Description of the horizontal initiative:

Through the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, the Government of Canada helps youth aged 15 to 30 and particularly those facing barriers to employment get the information and gain the skills, work experience and abilities they need to make a successful transition into the labour market. The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy is a horizontal initiative led by Employment and Social Development Canada, which is delivered collaboratively with 11 other federal departments, agencies and crown corporations. It also includes the Canada Summer Jobs program, which is solely delivered by Employment and Social Development Canada.

Governance structures:

• the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy has strengthened and integrated a new governance structure to facilitate better coordination between the 12 participating federal organizations, key partners, stakeholders and youth
• this governance structure reflects a commitment from the 12 participating federal departments, agencies and Crown corporations to collect common performance management information on an ongoing basis to ensure effective management of the program
• Employment and Social Development Canada is responsible for the leadership, coordination and management of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Interdepartmental Committees

Total federal funding allocated (from start to end date) (dollars): $7,260.38 million.

Total federal planned spending to date (dollars): $7,586.01 million.

Total federal actual spending to date (dollars): $7,776.11 million.

Date of last renewal of the horizontal initiative: May 30, 2019.

Total federal funding allocated at the last renewal, and source of funding (dollars): $810.68 million.

Additional federal funding received after the last renewal (dollars): $1,478.08 million for fiscal year 2019-2020 and 2020-2021.

Total planned spending since the last renewal: $1,009.21 million.

Total actual spending since the last renewal: $1,305.30 million.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: the first phase of the horizontal evaluation, due in 2025, is currently being conducted (mid-cycle assessment, limited to ESDC programs) and will end in spring 2023.

Shared outcome of federal partner departments: youth have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experiences, and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school.

Performance indicator(s) ^{Footnote 1} :

• number of youth served
• percentage of youth employed / self-employed ^{Footnote 2}
• percentage of youth returned to school ^{Footnote 3}
• percentage of youth served who are facing barriers to employment

Target(s): specific targets for each participating partner are included in the performance table below.

Data source and frequency of monitoring and reporting: The former ESDC Data Collection System (DCS) is currently being replaced by a new integrated model that will provide access to timely results and improve impact measurement for all federal partners. With more advanced analytics capacity, the DCS will also allow for stronger, evidence-based, decision-making related to funding, policy and program design and delivery. This will help the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy be more responsive to youth’s diverse needs. The DCS implementation timeline is currently set for 2024 to 2025.

Performance highlights:

• During fiscal year 2021 to 2022, additional investments for YESS were carried over from the 2020 Fall Economic Statement (FES). These investments aimed to help young people, especially those who may face more complex barriers to employment, including those adversely affected by the pandemic, gain the skills and experience needed to find and keep quality work.
• Part of these measures included over $515.5 million from the 2020 FES for the 2021 to 2022 fiscal year for the YESS Program to support 27,383 more youth. This has allowed a total of 35,773 youth to develop their skills and provided them with employment opportunities across Canada.
• An additional $447.5 million was invested into the Canada Summer Jobs program, providing 94,000 more jobs for youth. Temporary changes to the program were also implemented. These changes included allowing all employers to receive a wage subsidy equivalent to 100% of the provincial or territorial minimum wage, offering part-time work, and allowing placements to be offered beyond the summer months.
• These investments helped youth, especially those who face barriers to employment, stay connected to the labour market through work opportunities and skills development, despite being faced with additional obstacles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contact information:

Rhonda Fernandes, Director General
Youth and Skills Innovation Directorate
Skills and Employment Branch

Telephone: 1-819-654-3008

Email: rhonda.fernandes@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Place du Portage, Phase IV
140 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau QC

Performance information

Federal department: Employment and Social Development Canada.

Link to the department’s program inventory: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy.

Horizontal initiative activity: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program.

Total federal allocation since the last renewal: $194,927,068.

2021 to 2022 planned spending (dollars): $221,610,898. This amount does not include the 2020 Fall Economic Statement funding.

2021 to 2022 actual spending (dollars): $365,961,707.

2021 to 2022 expected results: youth have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experiences, and opportunities they need to find and maintain employments or return to school.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: number of youth served.

• Target: 8,000.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 17,985

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth employed/self-employed ^{Footnote 4}.

• Target: 50% of youth served.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 45.07%.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth returned to school.

• Target: 10% of youth served.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 11.04%.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth served who are facing barriers to employment

• Targets:
  • indigenous: 20%
  • visible minority: 36%
  • youth with a disability: 20%
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual results:
  • indigenous: 18.08%
  • visible minority: 44.94%
  • youth with a disability: 24.65%

Horizontal initiative activity: Goal Getters ^{Footnote 5}.

Total federal allocation since the last renewal: no longer reported under YESS.

2021 to 2022 planned spending (dollars): no longer reported under YESS.

2021 to 2022 actual spending (dollars): no longer reported under YESS.

2021 to 2022 expected results: youth have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experiences, and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: number of youth served.

• Target: no longer reported under YESS.
• Date to achieve target: not applicable.
• Actual result: no longer reported under YESS.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth employed/self-employed.

• Target: no longer reported under YESS.
• Date to achieve target: not applicable.
• Actual result: no longer reported under YESS..

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth returned to school.

• Target: no longer reported under YESS..
• Date to achieve target: not applicable.
• Actual result: no longer reported under YESS.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth served who are facing barriers to employment.

• Target: no longer reported under YESS.
• Date to achieve target: not applicable.
• Actual result: no longer reported under YESS.

Horizontal initiative activity: Canada Summer Jobs.

Total federal allocation since the last renewal: $446,233,461

2021 to 2022 planned spending (dollars): $122,801,310. This amount does not include the 2020 Fall Economic Statement funding.

2021 to 2022 actual spending (dollars): $513,195,764

2021 to 2022 expected results: youth have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experiences, and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: number of youth served.

• Target: 25,971.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 124,747

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth employed/self-employed.

• Target: 15% of youth served.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 46%.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth returned to school.

• Target: 85% of youth served.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 54%.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth served who are facing barriers to employment.

• Targets:
  • indigenous: 7.5%
  • visible minority: 16%
  • youth with a disability: 2.5%
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual results:
  • indigenous: 7%
  • visible minority: 7%
  • youth with a disability: 3%

Federal department: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Link to the department’s program inventory: Sector Engagement and Development.

Horizontal initiative activity: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program.

Total federal allocation since the last renewal: $21,398,271 million.

2021 to 2022 planned spending (dollars): $1,157,850. This amount does not include the 2020 Fall Economic Statement funding.

2021 to 2022 actual spending (dollars): $23,245,934.

2021 to 2022 expected results: youth have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experiences, and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: number of youth served.

• Target: 60.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 2,340.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth employed/self-employed.

• Target: 60% of youth served.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 27.5%.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth returned to school.

• Target: 30% of youth served.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 31.9%.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth served who are facing barriers to employment.

• Targets:
  • rural: approximately 30%
  • Indigenous: approximately 10%
  • visible minority: approximately 8%
  • youth with a disability: less than 1%
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual results:
  • rural & remote: 59.8%
  • Indigenous: 8.5%
  • visible minority: 9.4%
  • youth with a disability: 2.6%

Federal department: Canadian Heritage.

Link to the department’s program inventory: Young Canada Works Initiatives.

Horizontal initiative activity: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program.

Total federal allocation since the last renewal: $16,513,619 million.

2021 to 2022 planned spending (dollars): $7,124,885. This amount does not include the 2020 Fall Economic Statement funding.

2021 to 2022 actual spending (dollars): $23,115,552.

2021 to 2022 expected results: youth have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experiences, and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: number of youth served.

• Target: 1,118.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 2,324.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth employed/self-employed.

• Target: not applicable ^{Footnote 6}.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 0%

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth returned to school.

• Target: not available ^{Footnote 7}.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: not available.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth served who are facing barriers to employment.

• Targets:
  • Indigenous: 5%
  • visible minority: 25%
  • youth with a disability: 5%
  • official language minority communities: 50%
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022
• Actual results:
  • Indigenous: 5%
  • visible minority: 19%
  • youth with a disability: 6.5%
  • Official language minority communities: 30%

Federal department: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Link to the department’s program inventory: Housing Internship Initiative for First Nations and Inuit Youth.

Horizontal initiative activity: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program.

Total federal allocation since the last renewal: $7,850,000 million.

2021 to 2022 planned spending (dollars): $1,000,000. This amount does not include the 2020 Fall Economic Statement funding.

2021 to 2022 actual spending (dollars): $8,862,603.

2021 to 2022 expected results: youth have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experiences, and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: number of youth served.

• Target: 118.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 518.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth employed/self-employed.

• Target: 20% of youth served.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 16%.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth returned to school.

• Target: 10% of youth served.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 8%.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth served who are facing barriers to employment.

• Target: 100% of youth served are Indigenous.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 100% of youth served are Indigenous.

Federal department: Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Link to the department’s program inventory: Science Horizons Internship Program.

Horizontal initiative activity: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program.

Total federal allocation since the last renewal: $35,129,494.

2021 to 2022 planned spending (dollars): $3,153,000. This amount does not include the 2020 Fall Economic Statement funding.

2021 to 2022 actual spending (dollars): $38,176,712.

2021 to 2022 expected results: youth have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experiences, and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: number of youth served.

• Target: 97.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 1,402.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth employed/self-employed.

• Target: 80% of youth served.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 23%.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth returned to school.

• Target: 6% of youth served.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 0.01%.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth served who are facing barriers to employment.

• Targets:
  • Indigenous: approximately 2.1%
  • visible minority: approximately 20%
  • youth a disability: less than 2.1%
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual results:
  • Indigenous: 2.64%
  • visible minority: 25%
  • youth with a disability: 3.40%

Federal department: Global Affairs Canada.

Link to the department’s program inventory: International Youth Internship Program.

Horizontal initiative activity: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program.

Total federal allocation since the last renewal: $0.

2021 to 2022 planned spending (dollars): $6,400,000. This amount does not include the 2020 Fall Economic Statement funding.

2021 to 2022 actual spending (dollars): $2,810,715.

2021 to 2022 expected results: youth have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experiences, and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: number of youth served.

• Target: 210.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 156.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth employed/self-employed.

• Target: 70% of total youth served.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 61%.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth returned to school.

• Target: 10% of total youth served.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 18%.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth served who are facing barriers to employment.

• Targets:
  • Indigenous: 1%
  • visible minority: 15%
  • youth with a disability: 1%
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result:
  • Indigenous: 2%
  • visible minority: 35%
  • youth with a disability: 4%

Federal department: Indigenous Services Canada.

Link to the department’s program inventory: First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy.

Horizontal initiative activity: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program.

Total federal allocation since the last renewal: $80,025,000.

2021 to 2022 planned spending (dollars): $26,643,124. This amount does not include the 2020 Fall Economic Statement funding.

2021 to 2022 actual spending (dollars): $104,405,549.

2021 to 2022 expected results: youth have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experiences, and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: number of youth served.

• Target: 3,931.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: not yet available.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth employed/self-employed.

• Target: 29%
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: not yet available.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth returned to school.

• Target: 31%.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: not yet available.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth served who are facing barriers to employment.

• Target: 100% of youth served are Indigenous persons.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: not yet available.

Federal department: Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada

Link to the department’s program inventory: Digital Skills for Youth.

Horizontal initiative activity: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program.

Total federal allocation since the last renewal: $51,396,975.

2021 to 2022 planned spending (dollars): $10,027,194. This amount does not include the 2020 Fall Economic Statement funding.

2021 to 2022 actual spending (dollars): $65,123,963.

2021 to 2022 expected results: youth have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experiences, and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: number of youth served.

• Target: 347.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 2,620.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth employed/self-employed.

• Target: not available ^{Footnote 8}
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 70.4%.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth returned to school.

• Target:not applicable ^{Footnote 9}.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 0%

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth served who are facing barriers to employment.

• Targets:
  • Indigenous: 10%
  • visible minority: 15%
  • youth with a disability: 8%
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual results:
  • Indigenous: 5.5%
  • visible minority: 39.9%
  • youth with a disability: 3.6%

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Computers for Schools Intern Program.

Horizontal initiative activity: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy.

Total federal allocation since the last renewal: $5,175,758.

2021 to 2022 planned spending (dollars): $3,689,488. This amount does not include the 2020 Fall Economic Statement funding.

2021 to 2022 actual spending (dollars): $7,481,691.

2021 to 2022 expected results: youth have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school, experiences.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: number of youth served.

• Target: 200.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 261.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth employed/self-employed.

• Target: 15% of youth served.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 40.1%

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth returned to school.

• Target: 10% of youth served.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 27.9%.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth served who are facing barriers to employment.

• Targets:
  • Indigenous: 14%
  • visible minority: 33%
  • youth with a disability: 3.5%
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual results:
  • Indigenous: 4.6%
  • visible minority: 38.3%
  • youth with a disability: 6.5%

Federal department: National Research Council.

Link to the department’s program inventory: Industrial Research Assistance Program.

Horizontal initiative activity: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program.

Total federal allocation since the last renewal: $61,117,000

2021 to 2022 planned spending (dollars): $5,373,000. This amount does not include the 2020 Fall Economic Statement funding.

2021 to 2022 actual spending (dollars): $64,891,843.

2021 to 2022 expected results: youth have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experiences, and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: number of youth served.

• Target: 166.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 2,238.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth employed/self-employed.

• Target: 70% of total youth served.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 89%.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth returned to school.

• Target: 2% of total youth served.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 2%.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth served who are facing barriers to employment.

• Targets:
  • Indigenous: 1%
  • visible minority: 15%
  • youth with a disability: 1%
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result:
  • Indigenous: 1.4%
  • visible minority: 28%
  • youth with a disability: 2%

Federal department: Natural Resources Canada.

Link to the department’s program inventory: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy.

Horizontal initiative activity: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program.

Total federal allocation since the last renewal: $44,030,385.

2021 to 2022 planned spending (dollars): $600,000. This amount does not include the 2020 Fall Economic Statement funding.

2021 to 2022 actual spending (dollars): $42,555,333.

2021 to 2022 expected results: youth have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experiences, and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: number of youth served.

• Target: 25
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 1,697.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth employed/self-employed.

• Target: 70% of youth served.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 85%

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth returned to school.

• Target: 5% of youth served.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 6%.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth served who are facing barriers to employment.

• Target: 50% of interns belong to at least one of the following employment equity categories:
  • women
  • Indigenous
  • visible minority
  • youth with a disability
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual results:
  • women: 44%
  • Indigenous: 17%
  • visible minority: 25%
  • youth with a disability: 4%

Federal department: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada ^{Footnote 10}

Link to the department’s program inventory: Young Canada Works.

Horizontal initiative activity: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program.

Total federal allocation since the last renewal: $0.

2021 to 2022 planned spending (dollars): $0.

2021 to 2022 actual spending (dollars): $1,052,619.

2021 to 2022 expected results: youth have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experiences, and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: number of youth served.

• Target: 1,000.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2023.
• Actual result: not available.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth employed/self-employed.

• Target: not available.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2023
• Actual result: not available.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth returned to school.

• Target: not available.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2023.
• Actual result: not available.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth served who are facing barriers to employment.

• Target: 100%.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2023.
• Actual result: not available.

Federal department: Parks Canada.

Link to the department’s program inventory: Young Canada Works.

Horizontal initiative activity: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program.

Total federal allocation since the last renewal: $45,411,600.

2021 to 2022 planned spending (dollars): $2,000,000. This amount does not include the 2020 Fall Economic Statement funding.

2021 to 2022 actual spending (dollars): $45,479,678.

2021 to 2022 expected results: youth have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experiences, and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: number of youth served.

• Target: 125.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 4,232.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth employed/self-employed.

• Target: not available ^{Footnote 11}.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 100%.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth returned to school.

• Target: not applicable ^{Footnote 12}.
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual result: 0%.

2021 to 2022 performance indicator: percentage of youth served who are facing barriers to employment.

• Targets:
  • Indigenous: 12%
  • visible minority: 12%
  • youth with a disability: 4%
• Date to achieve target: March 31, 2022.
• Actual results:
  • Indigenous: 19.5
  • visible minority: 16.1%
  • youth with a disability: 6.2%

General information

Name of horizontal initiatives: Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Transformation Initiative.

Lead department: Employment and Social Development Canada.

Federal partner organizations:

• Indigenous Services Canada;
• Public Health Agency of Canada

Start date of the horizontal initiative: September 2018.

End date of horizontal initiative: ongoing ^{Footnote 13}.

Description of horizontal initiative

The Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (IELCC) Transformation Initiative supports the implementation of the co-developed Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework. This framework reflects the unique cultures and priorities of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children across Canada. The initiative enables greater control in IELCC through a new partnership model to facilitate Indigenous-led decision making and advance national and regional priorities.

The IELCC Transformation Initiative provides for investments in a wide range of programs and services including Aboriginal Head Start and Day Care programming. This initiative enhances early childhood development and school readiness for Indigenous children regardless of where they live.

Employment and Social Development Canada is the federal focal point guiding this horizontal initiative, with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) as key federal partners.

Governance structure

Oversight of this horizontal initiative is provided through a collaborative structure that includes:

• the Assistant Deputy Minister Interdepartmental Steering Committee (ADMISC). The ADMISC is chaired by the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of Strategic and Service Policy Branch, Employment and Social Development Canada, and is comprised of Assistant Deputy Ministers from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), Indigenous Services Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, the Treasury Board Secretariat and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. This Steering Committee is responsible for the broad management of the IELCC Transformation Initiative and ensures strategic harmonization across programs and departments
• the Director General Interdepartmental Commitee (DGIC) is comprised of Director Generals and working-level officials from federal partner organizations. It oversees the implementation of the IELCC Transformation Initiative, supported by the IELCC Secretariat housed in ESDC that serves as the federal focal point. The DGIC reports directly to the ADMISC for strategic guidance
• other ad-hoc working groups have been established to advance joint priorities and/or co-development activities with IELCC Partnership Tables and other federal partner departments on topical themes. These include a Federal Working Group on Results and Reporting and an interdepartmental committee on repairs and renovations of existing IELCC centres

The implementation of the IELCC Transformation Initiative is also supported by national and regional Partnership Tables with First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments and their representatives, to facilitate Indigenous-led planning, priority setting, and decision-making.

Total federal funding allocated (from start to end date) (in dollars): $1,705,000,000 (fiscal year 2018 to 2019 to fiscal year 2027 to 2028) ^{Footnote 14}.

Total federal planned spending to date (in dollars) ^{Footnote 15}: $518,599,049.

Total federal actual spending to date (in dollars) ^{Footnote 16}: $556,015,374.

Date of last renewal of the horizontal initiative: June 21, 2021.

Total federal funding allocated at the last renewal and source of funding (in dollars): not applicable.

Additional federal funding received after the last renewal (in dollars): not applicable.

Total planned spending since the last renewal: not applicable.

Total actual spending since the last renewal: not applicable.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: an evaluation is planned for completion in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. The evaluation is to be co-developed and advanced through collaboration with Indigenous partners.

Shared outcomes of partner organizations:

• Indigenous partners have greater influence over Indigenous early learning and child care programming
• Indigenous children and families have greater access to early learning and child care programs and services that are holistic, accessible, inclusive, and flexible, and culturally- appropriate

Performance highlights

The department supported Indigenous communities through the establishment of over 50 national and regional partnership tables and bilateral arrangements with First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments. These partnership tables aim to advance the vision and priorities of the co-developed Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework, build Indigenous governance and technical capacity in the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) sector and align to broader Government of Canada commitments relating to reconciliation and nation-to-nation relationships with Indigenous peoples.

These partnerships have resulted in the following:

• in Manitoba, through extensive engagement on First Nations ELCC, the First Nation Education Resource Centre developed a multi-year strategy to guide investment decisions. They also proposed a new approach for First Nations governance of ELCC in the province. An Advisory Council, representative of Elders, regions, and language groups in Manitoba, provides ongoing advice on the approach
• in Atlantic Canada, dedicated Mi’kmaw Language support is now available for Nova Scotia First Nations. In Prince Edward Island, Abegweit First Nation began construction of a new child care centre
• federal funding supported 73 Inuit communities increase accessibility and expand services, including Indigenous language, cultural teachings and home kits for children. In Nunavut, funding has supported Indigenous language resources, such as Inuit character sets, Inuit cultural programs, wage subsidies for ELCC staff, and improvements to existing child care facilities
• Métis Nation governments advanced key ELCC priorities relating to affordability, access and culturally-appropriate programming. This includes child care subsidies in Alberta, language immersion programs for kindergarten students in Saskatchewan and the establishment of new Métis Child Care sites in Manitoba

In 2021 to 2022, efforts continued towards the development and finalization of longer-term funding allocation approaches with First Nation, Métis and Inuit governments. This will enable the establishment of multi-year early learning and child care funding agreements to support program and service delivery.

In addition, a total of 19 Quality Improvement Projects received funding to support Indigenous-led best practices and advance foundational elements of Indigenous ELCC.

Contact information:

Cheri Reddin, Director General
Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Secretariat
Strategic and Service Policy Branch
Employment and Social Development Canada

Cell: 613-617-1852

Cheri.reddin@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Performance information