Online engagement on Indigenous early learning and child care launched
News Release
Government of Canada will co-develop a new Indigenous early learning and child care framework with Indigenous peoples
May 31, 2017 Ottawa, Ontario Employment and Social Development Canada
The Government of Canada is working to increase the affordability, quality, flexibility and inclusivity of early learning and child care. For Indigenous children and their families, this includes supporting community-led early learning and child care that creates a foundation for pride and confidence in cultural identity.
In support of this commitment, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, today launched an online engagement process to collect stories, views and ideas from Indigenous communities and people across Canada on early learning and child care.
Engagement activities are being led by National Indigenous Organizations, Indigenous partners and the Government of Canada. The online engagement period will run until July 21, 2017. The Government will then collaborate with Indigenous partners to collect and validate the information and take what is learned to co-develop an Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework. In so doing, the Framework will reflect the unique needs and priorities of First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and families across Canada.
You are encouraged to participate in the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care online engagement process and download a toolkit to help host your own discussions in your community.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada believes that all Canadian children deserve a fair chance at success. We are pleased to be working with national Indigenous organizations and engaging with Indigenous peoples to co-develop a distinct approach to Indigenous early learning and child care that provides Indigenous children in Canada with a solid foundation for future success.”
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
Quick Facts
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The Government of Canada is committed to responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, including the call to develop culturally appropriate early childhood education programs for Indigenous families.
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Budget 2017 proposes to invest $7 billion over 10 years, starting in 2018–19, to support and create more high quality, flexible, fully inclusive and affordable child care spaces across the country. A portion of this investment will be dedicated to improving access to culturally appropriate early learning and child care programs for all Indigenous children.
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Budget 2016 proposed investments of $100 million in 2017–18 to build capacity in existing Indigenous early learning and child care programs while the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework is being co-developed. From these funds, $46.2 million is being provided to the First Nations and Inuit Child Care Initiative, $38.4 million to Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve, and $15.4 million to Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities.
Related Products
Associated Links
- Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care online engagement process
- Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Toolkit
- News release: Minister Duclos in Toronto to talk Budget 2017 investments to boost funding for early learning and child care
- The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action
- Budget 2017
Contacts
For media enquiries, please contact:
Émilie Gauduchon-Campbell
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
819-654-5546
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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