The Canadian Child Care Federation applauds the introduction of new legislation to solidify the federal government’s long-term commitment to build a high quality Canada-wide system of Early Learning and Child Care. Today, Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development of Canada announced Bill C-35, a historic legislative advancement for Canadian women, children and the economy in a generation. If Bill C-35 is adopted by Parliament, the federal government will enshrine in law that children and families should have the right to inclusive and high-quality early learning and child care programs and services regardless of where they live.
Marni Flaherty, CEO of the Canadian Child Care Federation says that the proposed legislation is a promising step towards ensuring that future bilateral child care funding agreements with provinces and territories will continue to properly advance the principles and declarations set out in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Plan for years to come.
Bill C-35 states that the legislation will respect the rights of Indigenous peoples affirmed by the Constitution Act, 1982, as well as Canada’s international obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
“Bill C-35 is a move in the right direction and especially important as the federal government evaluates its child care funding agreements with the provinces and territories going forward,” Flaherty says. “We will continue to negotiate the introduction of a child care workforce strategy to address the shortage of qualified early childhood educators.
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Marni Flaherty
Interim CEO, CCCF
905-906-0030
mflaherty@cccf-fcsge.ca
