HUMA committee briefing binder: Appearance of Minister of Families, Children and Social Development – March 10, 2023

Preamble

Clause 1: Short title

Clause 2: Definitions

Clause 3: Rights of Indigenous peoples

Clause 4: Designation of Minister

Clause 5: Purpose

Clause 6: Declaration

Clause 7 (1): Guiding principles

Clause 7 (2): Other guiding principles – Indigenous peoples

Clause 8: Funding commitments

National Advisory Council on Early Learning and Child Care – Clause 9: Establishment

Clause10 (1): Deputy Minister – ex officio member

Clause 10 (2): Alternate ex officio member

Clause 11 (1): Appointment

Clause 11 (2): Full-time or part-time membership

Clause 12 (1): Remuneration

Clause 12 (2): Travel and living expenses

Clause 12 (3): Deemed employment

Clause 13 (1): Role of Chairperson

Clause 13 (2): Chairperson absent or unable to act

Clause 14: Functions

Clause 15: Meetings

Annual Report – Clause 16: Report

Coming into force – Clause 17: Order in council

General questions

Q1. Who was engaged on this legislation and what did they say?

From January to March of 2022, ESDC undertook outreach and engagement via a Discussion Guide that was shared with:

• provincial and territorial governments
• approximately 50 Indigenous partners and organizations, including national and regional First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation leadership; Self Governing Nations, Modern Treaty Holders; and other national and regional Indigenous organizations; and
• nearly 70 ELCC national or regional stakeholder organizations and experts

Direct meetings were also held with several Indigenous partners and responsible Provincial and Territorial Ministers at their request to discuss the legislation in more detail. Based on the feedback received during the engagement process, a number of key themes emerged, including:

• provinces and territories emphasized the importance of respecting their jurisdiction in the ELCC space, and the need to include explicit commitments to ongoing, long-term funding in the legislation
• indigenous partners highlighted that the legislation should include specific language respecting Aboriginal and treaty rights. In addition, they highlighted the importance of culturally-appropriate ELCC and the need for long‑term, sustained funding
• experts and stakeholders underscored the need to tie conditions to PT funding, clearly define the principles that will be enshrined in the legislation, and establish a long-term federal funding commitment. Many experts and stakeholders also highlighted the importance of regular public reporting to support accountability

A “What We Heard Report,” which summarizes the feedback received, can be found on the ELCC Secretariat website.

All perspective provided were given full consideration in the development of the Bill before you.

Q2. Why does the legislation only mention provinces, and not territories?

In federal legislation, the meaning of the word “provinces” includes Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. This stems from the federal Interpretation Act, which applies to all federal laws and spells out that unless an Act explicitly states that the word “provinces” excludes the Territories, it is inclusive of them. In the proposed legislation, “provinces” includes the territories.

Q3. Why does the legislation talk about “tutors”?

The legal terminology that encompasses “parents and caregivers” is: “parents, guardians and tutors.”

Before and after school care

Q4. The preamble mentions before- and after‑school care, and the Minister’s mandate letter commits to continuing to advance work with the provinces and territories to reduce fees for families for before- and after‑school care. What has the government done so far to advance this priority?

The Government of Canada continues to work closely with provinces, territories, and Indigenous partners to advance the work of the Canada-wide early learning and child care system. As jurisdictions are implementing the Canada-wide system, the federal government continues to engage with provincial and territorial partners to better understand their needs and challenges, including for before- and after-school care.

Some jurisdictions have identified before- and after-school care as a priority in their Canada‑wide agreement action plans. For example, Nova Scotia reduced fees for before‑ and after‑school care across the province, starting April 1, 2022. By the end of 2022, about 1,100 new child-care spaces are expected to have been created in licensed child care centres and family child-care homes, and in the province’s before- and after‑school program. Parents can expect to save between $4.00 to $6.00 per day for school age children, who are accessing before- and after‑school care services.

Affordability / Fees reduction

Q5. How are the fee reductions calculated for the agreements, is it income-tested?

One of the guiding principles enshrined in C-35 in clause 7 (1) is to enable families of varying incomes to benefit from affordable, high quality, inclusive ELCC programs and services. It is one of the pillars of the Canada-wide system.

Bill C-35 was drafted to align with the current agreements and further details on how each PTs does the calculation for fee reductions to reach an average of $10-a-day by March 2026 can be found in the bilateral agreements.

The current commitment of the Canada-wide ELCC system is for an average of $10-a-day. This means that PTs have the flexibility to establish varying rates for families within their respective jurisdictions, while ensuring the overall average is $10-a-day. In this case, some families may pay as little as $0 while other families may pay more than $10-a-day. As the administration of ELCC is within PT jurisdiction, the PTs have the flexibility to implement models of their choosing that meet the $10-a-day average commitment, including income-based models or a cap-rate fee.

Most PTs have subsidies for ELCC that ensures that low-income families benefit from lower fees.

Access - space creation

Q6. What about wait times for accessing daycare?

The Government of Canada recognizes that families need greater access to early learning and child care. The Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system aims to create 250,000 new regulated child care spaces by March 2026 – more than 50,000 of which have already been announced. The creation of more spaces will help to significantly improve access to child care across the country.

Bill C-35 sets access to early learning and child care programs and services – in particular those that are provided by public and not for profit child care providers, and regulated – as a guiding principle for federal investments. Together with the significant federal commitments made to date, this should help to reduce wait times as the Canada-wide system grows and matures. The proposed legislation will also help to protect the gains in space creation in the future by ensuring that federal investments are sustained over time.

Q7. What will Bill C-35 do to help access to off-hours care for those that work irregular hours, need drop-ins, overnight or weekend care?

C-35 states in clause 6 d) the importance of flexible early learning and child care programs and services that responds to the varying needs of children and families.

Further details can be found in the bilateral agreements as each province and territories has its own regulations and policies for hours of care, but to give you an example, the Alberta agreement does indicate that an additional grant for those operating flexible and overnight child care will be provided under the operational grant. Other agreements with provinces and territories recognized this vital component for families and have committed to various measures related to the need for off-hour care.

Q8. How is the Government improving access to child care in child care deserts, including rural and remote communities?

The Government of Canada recognizes there are extra challenges faced by families with children living in rural or remote locations, including limited access to child care services.

Many of these communities, along with others including in high density urban areas where communities of families face barriers to access, are known as “child care deserts” – addressing the needs of families in these areas will be part of the work ahead.

The Government of Canada is working with all provinces and territories to ensure that high‑quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive child care is accessible to all, no matter where they live. As the administration of ELCC is within PT jurisdiction, provinces and territories have responsibilities over the development and implementation of space creation plans.

For example, in Newfoundland and Labrador’s Canada-wide Action Plan, the province has laid out commitments for space creation in rural communities. As well, Saskatchewan has announced it has created 4,000 spaces in communities across the province, including rural and remote communities, since signing its Canada-wide Agreement.

Q9. What progress has been made in implementing Indigenous ELCC. Are we on track to meet the mandate letter target of 3,300 spaces?

We have made a public commitment to co-develop ELCC results frameworks with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners. These results frameworks will allow us to define shared outcomes and measure results, such as the number of new spaces created. This work is underway and will be completed by 2025.

Notwithstanding, I would be pleased to share a few highlights of progress:

As an initial priority, many Indigenous partners have chosen to prioritize activities aimed at the development of culturally-appropriate ELCC programs and services. The availability of Michif and Dene immersion programs for kindergarten students in Saskatchewan serves as an example of progress in this regard.

Expanding access to Indigenous ELCC through the creation of new spaces and/or enhancement of existing spaces (for example, conversion of part-time to full-time care models) is also a priority for Indigenous partners, and we are beginning to see early indicators of success in this area. For example:

• the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) has built seven new child care centres, creating over 200 new child care spaces for Métis families in Manitoba. The MMF has several other new centres planned or under construction
• the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) celebrated the opening of a new childcare centre in March 2022, providing 52 culturally-enriched daycare spaces for Métis families in the Victoria area. MNBC is working to add 400 new childcare spaces by the end of fall 2024
• the Northwest Territory Métis Nation is opening a new daycare centre in Forth Smith this Spring
• Abegweit First Nation in Prince Edward Island has completed the construction of a new child care centre with capacity for 32 children
• additional supports are now offered to parents through new funding for Before- and After-School Programming (BASP) that is being advanced by First Nations partners in communities across the country, with support from my colleague, the Minister of Indigenous Services. This new funding has the potential to expand access to Before and After School Programming for more than 45,000 eligible First Nations students ages 4 to 12 on reserve

New investments in Indigenous ELCC infrastructure (for example, $420 million over 3 years and $21 million per year ongoing) will become available in 2023 to 2024 to support Indigenous partners in building new child care centres. This new funding will be enable progress against our target of 3,300 new spaces.

For-profit child care vs. not-for-profit

Q10. Why do the Canada-wide agreements and Bill C-35 emphasize not-for-profit expansion?

The Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) agreements and the proposed legislation predominantly support not-for-profit, public, and family-based child care providers. However, given the unique ELCC landscape across the country, the Government of Canada recognizes that licensed, for-profit child care will continue to play a role.

The Government of Canada is working with the provinces and territories to support the growth of quality child care spaces across the country, while ensuring that families in existing licensed spaces – including for-profit spaces – benefit from more affordable child care.

Q11. Why is the federal government concerned about profits made by for-profit centres?

Governments of all levels have a fundamental responsibility to their citizens to ensure the sound use of public funds; as such, agreements with provinces and territories include accountability provisions to ensure transparency and commitments to report on these expenditures. Accountability provisions apply to all operators that are part of a Canada-wide ELCC system, whether for-profit or not-for-profit.

Q12. Why didn’t the Government legislate in C-35 the requirement to ensure provincial‑territorial cost control frameworks are in place for the for-profit sector?

Given the unique ELCC landscape across the country, the Government of Canada recognizes that licensed, for-profit child care will continue to play a role in the Canada-wide ELCC system.

The Canada-wide bilateral agreements include individually tailored, highly detailed conditions to ensure that provinces and territories meet the objectives of the Canada-wide ELCC system.

Given this, requirements for cost control frameworks are best handled through the Canada‑wide agreements.

Workforce and labour shortages

Q13. What would Bill C-35 do for the ECE workforce given the current labour shortage?

Bill C-35 highlights as a principle in clause 7 (1) d) the need for the federal government to support high-quality early learning child care programs and services through the use of a qualified and well-supported ECE workforce.

Further details on supports for the workforce such as the development of wage grids can be found in the bilateral agreements. Each province and territories has its own legislation, regulations and policies for ECEs - as it is within their jurisdictional power.

Q14. Why does the legislation not establish a minimum wage for ECEs?

Bill C-35 highlights as a principle in clause 7 (1) d) the need for the federal government to support high-quality early learning child care programs and services through the use of a qualified and well-supported ECE workforce.

Federal legislation can only prescribe rates of pay for positions that are clearly within federal jurisdiction. The regulation of the ECE workforce is a matter of provincial and territorial jurisdiction in Canada.

Flexibility

Q15. Will C-35 limit family choices?

No, C-35 states in clause 6 b) the importance of flexible early learning and child care programs and services that responds to the varying needs of children and families. Furthermore, the Canada-wide system is supported by an array of other federal, provincial/territorial and Indigenous benefits for families that together would allow more flexibility for parents to choose the care that most benefit their situation and their children.

Should parents decide to send their child to regulated ELCC, it is important that they can access high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive child care spaces. Should parents decide to stay at home with their children, measures such as the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) continue to be available to all families with children. The CCB provides 9 out of 10 Canadian families with monthly payments to help support the costs of raising children.

Inclusivity

Q16. How would the legislation support a more inclusive child care system, including reflecting the needs, among others, of Indigenous families, children and parents with disabilities, as well as Black and racialized children and families, and members of Official Language Minority Communities?

The federal goal for a Canada-wide ELCC system is for families – no matter their socio‑economic standing or racial identity, whether their child has a disability or needs enhanced or individualized support, or where they live in Canada – to have access to high‑quality, affordable and inclusive ELCC.

The proposed legislation would entrench this vision and goal into law. It also includes a commitment to ensure that the principles of access, affordability, inclusivity, and high quality will guide federal investments in ELCC.

Q17. Do all signed agreements include language clauses to protect the rights of linguistic minorities in a minority situation?

The Government of Canada understands that child care can have a profound influence on children's overall development, including their language skills and identity.

Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care agreements signed with provinces and territories outside of Quebec feature clauses to support and respect the rights of official language minority communities, based on the specific priorities and context of each jurisdiction.

In addition, the Government of Canada has invested $20 million to support early childhood development initiatives in Francophone minority communities as part of the Action Plan for Official Languages 2018 to 2023.

The Government of Canada is working with provinces and territories, experts, and communities, to ensure that child care is fully inclusive of the needs of all children, including children in official language minority communities.

Funding

Q18. How would C-35 ensure long-term funding of child care across Canada and how will it ensure the funding is used as intended by the provinces?

The proposed legislation includes a federal commitment to maintaining long-term funding primarily through agreements negotiated with provinces and territories, and agreements with Indigenous governing bodies and organizations.

When drafting this proposed legislation, it was of utmost importance that the Government of Canada respect the constitutional jurisdiction of provinces and territories, as well as the rights of Indigenous peoples, including the right to self-determination. The government has signed bilateral agreements with all 13 provinces and territories.

These agreements reflect agreed upon criteria, targets, and funding provisions; thus far, from my perspective, they are working well. As such, the continued use of an agreement-based approach to establishing and maintaining a Canada-wide ELCC system seems to be effective, and the legislation is intended to complement and uphold this approach.

The Canada-wide bilateral agreements include individually tailored, highly detailed conditions to ensure that the provinces and territories meet the objectives of the Canada-wide ELCC system. These agreements also ensure that the Government of Canada can withhold funds if these conditions are not met. The exception to this is Quebec, which has an asymmetrical agreement with the Government of Canada.

While some have been calling for a Canada Health Act / Canada Health Transfer approach with statutory funding and conditions imposed on provinces and territories, this would be inconsistent with the government’s current agreements-based approach with provinces, territories and Indigenous governments and organizations.

National Advisory Council

Q19. A National Advisory Council on ELCC has been included in the proposed legislation; however, the Government announced the creation of a National Advisory Council on November 24, 2022. How do these relate to each other?

The National Advisory Council will provide expert third-party advice to the Minister and serve as a forum for engagement on issues and challenges facing the ELCC sector. Its members will include individuals with experience and knowledge of the sector, and be reflective of the diverse identities represented across Canada.

The proposed legislation would convert that same Council into a statutory body, much like what was done with the National Advisory Council on Poverty and the National Housing Council.

If Bill C-35 is passed, the current Ministerially-appointed Council would be converted to a Governor in Council-appointed Council and would maintain the same advisory mandate, membership and term as the existing Minister-appointed Council.

Q20. How was the National Advisory Council on ELCC selection process conducted?

Member selection consisted of a public/open call for applications followed by an open and transparent selection process. The intent was for the Council, to the extent possible, to reflect Canada’s geographic, cultural, and linguistic diversity.

A robust communications strategy supported the call for applications to ensure broad awareness and to target harder-to-reach candidates from the sector. This included a news release, social media promotion, and an email blast that was sent to more than 1,000 stakeholders with vast networks in the sector, including advocates, associations, providers and experts, representing national, provincial, territorial and regional interests. Of these, more than 250 Indigenous partners were contacted. To further promote this call for applications, the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Secretariat also sent a follow-up message to the joint National and Regional Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Partnership Tables and National Indigenous Organisations (NIOs) including Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK).

Q21. Who is sitting on the National Advisory Council, will C-35 prescribe membership?

The current council, which was announced on November 24, 2022, was selected under an open and transparent selection process. The Council is composed of 16 members, including academics and advocates, practitioners and caregivers as well as a full-time chairperson and an ex officio member who is a senior official from Employment and Social Development Canada. The current Chairperson, Don Giesbrecht, has previously served as both President of the Board of Directors and CEO of the Canadian Child Care Federation.

Bill C-35 will make this Council a statutory body appointed by the Governor in Council (GIC). Similar to the existing Council, Bill C-35 also highlights the importance of having members who are representative of the diversity of Canadian society. It also prescribes that the Council will have 10 to 18 members, including a full-time or part-time Chairperson and an ex officio member, who is the Deputy Minister or a delegated senior official.

It is important to note that the Council, as described in the legislation, is an advisory body. In other words, its advice is non-binding. Moreover, it is not intended to provide oversight of the system, but is rather a mechanism that the Government of Canada can put in place to ensure that the voices, input and expertise of the early learning and child care sector are taken into account as we implement the system.

There are already established mechanisms for the Government of Canada to engage with provinces and territories. These established governance structures serve as the primary mechanisms to support engagement and decision-making on the implementation of the Canada-wide early learning and child care system.

Moreover, National and Regional Early Learning and Child Care Partnership Tables will remain the main forum to support engagement, co-development and joint decision-making on Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care.

Opportunities can be explored for information sharing and dialogue between the National Advisory Council, the Indigenous ELCC Secretariat and Indigenous ELCC representatives.

C-35 complements, rather than replaces, these existing mechanisms, and respects relationship building with these bodies to date.

Q22. Does the National Advisory Council on ELCC include Indigenous members?

Yes, the Council currently includes 2 members who identify as Indigenous, one identifies as Métis and the other as First Nation. While these members, like the rest of the Council, do not provide advice that is affiliated with an organization, they nonetheless each bring their unique knowledge and perspectives to the Council as an Indigenous person. All members of the Council are subject matter experts and have unique and important contributions to make to the Council’s mandate.

Q23. Is the National Advisory Council a decision-making body?

No. The Council is an advisory body whose advice is not binding. It was established with a mandate to provide third-party expert advice to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), in support of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (the Minister) and a forum for consultation on issues and challenges facing the ELCC sector.

The Council is not intended to provide oversight of the system, but is rather a mechanism to help ensure that the voices, input and expertise of the early learning and child care sector and those who interact with it are taken into account as the federal government implements a Canada-wide system with provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners over the long term.

The Council will be expected to undertake public engagement to seek out the views of experts as well as child care workers, organizations, stakeholders, and others (for example, youth, parents, communities) who may be affected and would have an interest in a Canada-wide early learning and child care system. The Minister will direct the work of the Council, in keeping with the Government of Canada’s commitment to advance reconciliation and respect Indigenous rights, including the right to self-determination.

Q24. Will the National Advisory Council be providing advice to the Minister on Indigenous ELCC?

The Council’s role is to provide non-binding advice to the Minister on a Canada-wide system that benefits all children and families in Canada, including Indigenous children and their families. However, the joint National and Regional Indigenous Partnership tables, as well as other bilateral mechanisms established by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation leadership, are the primary venues to support advice, decision making, implementation and planning for Indigenous ELCC.

There will be opportunities for information sharing and dialogue between the National Advisory Council, the Indigenous ELCC Secretariat and Indigenous ELCC representatives.

C-35 and the Council complement, rather than replace, these existing mechanisms, and respect the relationship building to date.

Q25. How will the Council ensure that Indigenous perspectives are reflected in their work?

The unique perspectives and needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis families and children are essential in building a Canada-wide early learning and childcare system.

The Council will complement and not replace other established mechanisms already in place via the National and Regional Partnership Tables and other bilateral forums. Potential opportunities to support information-sharing and dialogue between the National Advisory Council and Partnership Tables, are currently being explored.

Moreover, in formulating their advice to the Minister, the Council has a mandate to undertake public engagement, including with First Nations, Inuit and Métis representatives to share their knowledge and experience on Indigenous early learning and child care.

In addition, as a federal body, the Council would respect Indigenous rights, including the right to self-determination, Indigenous-led approaches, and the principles of the Indigenous ELCC Framework.

Q26. Are provinces and territories represented on the National Advisory Council?

Provinces and territories would not be represented on the National Advisory Council.

Provinces and territories already have an established mechanism for multilateral engagement at the table of federal-provincial/territorial FPT Ministers Most Responsible for ELCC, and work with the Government of Canada bilaterally through agreements and implementation committees.

The proposed legislation’s provisions on the National Advisory Council complement, rather than replace, these existing mechanisms, as well as respect the relationship building to date.

Q27. Would C-35 require the National Advisory Council to report on its work and findings?

While the proposed legislation does not require the National Advisory Council to report – publicly or to Parliament – on its work and findings, the Minister maintains the discretion to include such information in the annual report to the public.

Accountability / Reporting

Q28. Does C-35 include a provision for a periodic review of the bill?

The proposed legislation is federally focused in nature, intended to enshrine into law the federal vision of a Canada‑wide ELCC system. Given this, it was determined that a regular review of the legislation would not be warranted.

Q29. Does C-35 require the Minister to report to Parliament on progress in building the Canada-wide system?

The proposed legislation includes a requirement for the Minister to report annually to the public on federal investments and progress toward establishing an accessible, affordable, inclusive, and high-quality child care system. This requirement provides an important measure of accountability regarding federal investments in ELCC, while respecting the extensive reporting provisions set out in the Canada-wide agreements. It also ensures that the legislation does not impose additional reporting requirements or administrative burden on provinces and territories or Indigenous peoples.

The Government of Canada remains committed to ensuring Canadians have timely access to information regarding the federal investments in ELCC and the progress being made toward creating and maintaining a Canada‑wide ELCC system.

Q30. Are the most recent annual reports published online? Can you share these reports with the committee?

As outlined in the Multilateral Framework for ELCC, federal, provincial and territorial governments recognize that reporting and data build knowledge and disseminate information to families, communities and service providers.

The Government of Canada is working with provincial and territorial partners to finalize the 2019 to 2020 and 2020 to 2021 annual progress reports.

Once completed, the federal government will ensure the bilingual reports meet accessibility standards prior to publishing on ESDC’s website. We expect that this will be done in the coming months.

Jurisdiction

Q31. Will C-35 respect jurisdictions, more specifically in the case of Quebec would C-35 impact their current asymmetrical agreement?

No, C-35 would not impose any conditions or requirements on provincial and territorial governments, or Indigenous peoples. There are no provisions in the Bill which apply to the province of Quebec or any other province or territory, so there is no need for an exemption clause for QC. C-35 would apply solely to the federal government by enshrining into law a long‑term federal commitment to building and maintaining a Canada-wide system of ELCC.

If the Act comes into force, PTs would retain their jurisdictional position in respect of ELCC.

Given that Quebec has had a system of educational child care services with reduced parental contribution since 1997 and for which it reports to its population,Canada and Quebec have agreed to implement an asymmetrical agreement which will not be affected by this legislation. This agreement will allow Quebec to make other improvements to its system, a system of which Quebecers are very proud, with good reason.

Indigenous

Q32. What engagement was done on this legislation with Indigenous partners?

The Government of Canada sought feedback from Indigenous partners prior to tabling this legislation. Approximately 50 Indigenous government partners and organizations, including national First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation National and Regional Partnership Tables, Self‑Governing Nations, Modern Treaty Holders, and other national and regional Indigenous organizations were included in the engagement. The Department also delivered presentations and held meetings with partnership tables and Indigenous organizations who requested them.

A What We Heard engagement report which summarizes the main themes that emerged from all engagement activities on the proposed legislation was published in November 2022. This report was also shared with Indigenous partners who were involved in the original outreach on engagement on the Bill.

Q33. How would C-35 ensure long-term funding for Indigenous early learning and child care as it does for the provinces?

The proposed legislation includes a federal commitment to maintaining long-term funding primarily through agreements held with Indigenous governing bodies and organizations.

The Indigenous-specific ELCC investments in programming and governance advance the vision and principles outlined in the Indigenous ELCC Framework, which has been endorsed by the Government of Canada and Indigenous leadership.

This funding is complementary to provincial funding and works together to improve ELCC programs and services for Indigenous children.

Q34. Will provincial standards apply to Indigenous ELCC?

The legislation does not regulate in matters of provincial or Indigenous jurisdiction.

The legislation respects and upholds Aboriginal and treaty rights, including the right to self‑determination. Furthermore, it would respect Indigenous‑led approaches and the ongoing, collaborative implementation of the Indigenous ELCC Framework.

Q35. Will Bill C-35 be connected to Jordan’s Principle and the Child First Initiative?

Bill C-35 is specific to the Canada-wide early learning and child care system – it would not affect or alter Jordan’s Principle or the Child First Initiative. That said, the proposed legislation would support the well-being of Indigenous children and families by enshrining the Government’s long‑term commitment to early learning and child care, ensuring that federal funding will be sustained, and recognizing the importance of culturally-appropriate ELCC that is led by Indigenous peoples.

Part of the purpose of the proposeis to contribute to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The elements of the proposed legislation, supported by strong partnerships and collaboration at all levels of government, would help contribute to equity and equality of outcomes for Indigenous children and families, and would complement the Government of Canada’s commitment to Jordan’s Principle and to Reconciliation.

Q36. Indigenous peoples are calling for legislation that advances Indigenous self‑determination, law-making, licensing and regulations in the ELCC sector. How can we advance those interests together?

When drafting this proposed legislation, it was of utmost importance that the Government of Canada respect the constitutional jurisdiction of provinces and territories, as well as the rights of Indigenous peoples, including the right to self-determination.

While this proposed legislation does not regulate in matters of provincial or Indigenous jurisdiction, it recognizes that Indigenous children are best served by culturally relevant programs and services that are led by Indigenous peoples and enshrines co-developed principles in law to guide federal actions and investments.

Q37. How would C-35 uphold self-determination and further advance the implementation of international frameworks such as the UNDRIP?

Bill C-35 includes a commitment to contribute to the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to further the progressive realization of human rights. You will find these references in the Bill’s Purpose and Declaration sections. This commitment includes article 19 of the UNDRIP which speaks to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC).

Bill C-35 also clearly states that federal actions and decisions on ELCC for Indigenous families must be guided by the principles in the Indigenous ELCC Framework, which was co-developed with Indigenous peoples and endorsed by the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and the Métis National Council. A key principle of the Indigenous ELCC Framework is First Nations, Inuit and Métis self-determination in ELCC.

The Department of Justice is currently working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners to co‑develop an Action Plan for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act which is still in the development phase and this includes work on FPIC.

Bill C-35 was thus drafted to allow flexibility with respect to concepts of FPIC and Indigenous jurisdiction so that it can grow over time with the Crown-Indigenous relationship.

Rights-based

Q38. How would the legislation help Canada meet its international human rights obligations?

The proposed legislation includes provisions that would reaffirm Canada’s human rights commitments, such as those under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Canada is a signatory. It takes a rights-based approach, recognizing the value of a Canada‑wide system of ELCC in supporting the progressive realization of human rights.

The proposed legislation would support an affordable, inclusive and high‑quality ELCC system that could be accessed by all children who need it, which would not only help those children, but also their families and communities. This would align with the generally‑recognized human rights principles of equality, non‑discrimination, and inclusion.

The proposed legislation also supports the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as it aims to respect and uphold Indigenous rights, including their right to self-determination and recognizes the role of First Nations, Inuit and Métis in providing ELCC systems that reflect their needs, priorities and aspirations.

While the proposed legislation would not create a new right to child care, it would uphold and support Canada’s commitment to the right to state assistance in child-rearing responsibilities as recognized in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Issue

Creation of child care spaces for children aged 0 to 5 years old under the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) system.

Background

The Government of Canada is making a transformative investment to build a Canada-wide ELCC System in partnership with provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners. Budget 2021 provided new investments of up to $30 billion over 5 years, including up to $27.2 billion specifically for provinces and territories to build access to a high-quality, affordable, and inclusive early learning and child care system across Canada.

The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development’s 2021 Mandate Letter provided direction to conclude negotiations with provinces and territories and to implement agreements to:

• reduce fees for regulated child care by 50% on average by the end of 2022 everywhere outside of Quebec
• reduce regulated child care fees to $10-a-day on average by the end of fiscal year 2025 to 2026 everywhere outside of Quebec; and
• build 250,000 new high-quality child care spaces by the end of fiscal year 2025 to 2026 (see Table 1 for details)

As articulated in the Multilateral ELCC Framework, the Government of Canada recognizes that provinces and territories (PTs) have the primary responsibility for the design and delivery of ELCC systems within their jurisdictions, and that each PT government must determine its own priorities for ELCC.

Federal investments in ELCC provide PTs with flexibility in how they seek to meet these objectives, including providing greater access to high-quality child care. Under the Canada-wide system, federal funding will be used to support the creation of 250,000 new ELCC care spaces by March 31, 2026, of which 50,000 have already been announced.

The Governments of Canada and Quebec have entered into asymmetrical ELCC agreements, given that the province already has an affordable and well-established system. As such, Quebec is not subject to the same accountability and reporting requirements, and does not have annual action plans.

Demand for child care is expected to increase as parent fees decline. The lesson learned from the Quebec experience is that a measured, incremental transition to a low-cost child care system is essential to ensuring quality.

As PTs implement the Canada-wide system, optimal coverage rates will vary along regional and jurisdictional lines. The federal government will continue to work with provincial and territorial governments to increase the supply of high quality spaces, train and recruit early childhood educators, build infrastructure, and properly regulate and monitor the transition.

Key facts

The Government of Canada has signed agreements with every PT to deliver a Canada-wide ELCC system.

All PTs have committed to achieve 5-year space creation targets that will amount to over 250,000 spaces across Canada by March 2026. Ontario and British Columbia have space creation targets beyond 2025 to 2026.

All PTs, except Quebec, have committed to develop and fund a plan to ensure diverse and/or vulnerable children and families have equitable access to spaces based on population proportion or assessed need.

Key messages

Issue

Budget 2021 committed to creation of 3,300 new child care spaces for Indigenous children under the Canada-wide Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) system. This commitment is also reflected in the mandate letter for the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

Key question

Q. What progress has been made in implementing Indigenous ELCC. Are we on track to meet the mandate letter target of 3,300 spaces?

• We have made a public commitment to co-develop ELCC results frameworks with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners. These results frameworks will allow us to define shared outcomes and measure results, such as the number of new spaces created. This work is underway and will be completed by 2025
• Notwithstanding, I would be pleased to share a few highlights of progress:
• as an initial priority, many Indigenous partners have chosen to prioritize activities aimed at the development of culturally-appropriate ELCC programs and services. The availability of Michif and Dene immersion programs for kindergarten students in Saskatchewan serves as an example of progress in this regard
• expanding access to Indigenous ELCC through the creation of new spaces and/or enhancement of existing spaces (for example, conversion of part-time to full-time care models) is also a priority for Indigenous partners, and we are beginning to see early indicators of success in this area. For example:
  • the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) has built seven new child care centres, creating over 200 new child care spaces for Métis families in Manitoba. The MMF has a number of additional new centres planned and/or under construction
  • the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) celebrated the opening of a new childcare centre in March 2022, providing 52 culturally-enriched daycare spaces for Métis families in the Victoria area. MNBC is working to add 400 new childcare spaces by the end of fall 2024
  • the Northwest Territory Métis Nation is opening a new daycare centre in Forth Smith this Spring
  • Abegweit First Nation in Prince Edward Island has completed the construction of a new child care centre with capacity for 32 children
  • additional supports are now offered to parents through new funding for Before- and After-School Programming (BASP) that is being advanced by First Nations partners in communities across the country, with support from my colleague, the Minister of Indigenous Services. This new funding has the potential to expand access to Before and After School Programming for more than 45,000 eligible First Nations students ages 4 to 12 on reserve
• new investments in Indigenous ELCC infrastructure (such as $420 million over 3 years and $21 million per year ongoing) will become available in 2023 to 2024 to support Indigenous partners in building new child care centres. This new funding will be enable progress against our target of 3,300 new spaces

Background

• As a part of Budget 2021, the Government of Canada made a transformative investment of over $27 billion over 5 years to establish a Canada-wide early learning and child care system
• Budget 2021 also provided new investments of $2.5 billion over five years to support Indigenous ELCC, including $420 million over 3 years, starting in 2023 to 2024 and $21 million ongoing to build and maintain new IELCC centres in additional communities
• This complements provincial-territorial investments and forms an integral part of a Canada-wide ELCC system to increase the availability of high-quality, culturally appropriate and accessible programs and services to Indigenous peoples
• Guided by the Indigenous ELCC Framework, these investments:
  • enable Indigenous-led systems through dedicated investments in governance, partnerships and capacity building to ensure that Indigenous governments, along with provinces and territories, are full partners in the work ahead to establish a Canada-wide system
  • expand access to culturally-appropriate programs and services and build on the foundations of existing Aboriginal Head Start and First Nation and Inuit Day Care programming, and
  • provide for renovations to older or sub-par Indigenous ELCC facilities and the construction of new facilities in Indigenous communities that are underserved or without existing Indigenous ELCC programs and services
• The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development’s 2021 Mandate Letter includes a commitment to work with Indigenous partners to ensure that Indigenous children have access to high quality and culturally-appropriate Indigenous ELCC services in the communities in which they live and create 3,300 new child care spaces for Indigenous children across Canada
• Budget 2021 announced $515 million over 5 years, starting in 2021 to 2022, and $112 million on-going, to support before- and after-school care (since updated to before- and after-school programming) for First Nations children on reserve. This investment is one component of the Government-wide announcement of $2.5 billion over 5 years to build on the existing distinctions-based approach to Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care, with a long-term investment in Indigenous-led programming

Key facts

• Through strong partnerships with Indigenous governments and organizations, federal funding to Indigenous ELCC is strengthening the quality of community-based culturally appropriate programming, with investments reaching over 35,000 children in:
  • 463 child care sites in First Nations and Inuit communities
  • 341 Aboriginal Head Start programs on-reserve, and
  • 133 Aboriginal Head Start programs in urban and northern communities
• Engagement with First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments and organisations is underway for major infrastructure funding to determine priorities for IELCC Infrastructure investments and a strategy to deliver them
• These investments will help facilitate greater access to high quality, culturally appropriate ELCC programming for Indigenous children and families, and demonstrate progress against mandate commitments to create 3,300 new Indigenous ELCC spaces
• In addition to space creation, important priorities identified by Indigenous partners include:
  • culturally appropriate curriculum development, learning tools and linguistic revitalization programs to enable high-quality Indigenous ELCC programming in a variety of settings
  • training and retaining a skilled workforce to support culturally-appropriate learning and care, and
  • immediate repairs and renovations of existing Aboriginal Head Start and Day Care sites to ensure safe, healthy, and enriching learning environments for young children
• Given the early stages of Budget 2021 implementation, comprehensive data on space creation is not available at this time. The Government of Canada has committed to work with First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation to co-develop results reporting approaches by March 2025, in order to demonstrate and assess progress towards the vision and goals of the Indigenous ELCC Framework
• While this co-development work is underway, Indigenous funding recipients are reporting annually on progress through contribution agreements

Issue

Implementation of Budget 2022 investments towards an ELCC Infrastructure Fund.

Addressing the infrastructure challenges facing the ELCC sector.

Background

Provinces and territories (PTs) made commitments to building a Canada-wide early learning and child care (CWELCC) system of community-based and high quality care through prioritizing the creation of new, not-for-profit spaces as part of their CWELCC Agreements.

However, as the federal government worked with PTs on the negotiation and implementation of the CWELCC agreements, many raised that infrastructure cost was a challenge for not-for-profit and public providers where real estate costs were too high or building materials too expensive.

In response to requests from PTs, and to support the implementation of the CWELCC system, Budget 2022 provided $625 million over 4 years, beginning in 2023 to 2024, to Employment and Social Development Canada for an ELCC Infrastructure Fund.

This funding will enable PTs to make additional child care investments.

As noted in Budget 2021, Quebec has been a pioneer in early learning and child care in Canada, and this new funding will be part of an asymmetrical agreement with the province of Quebec that will allow it to further enhance its child care system.

Officials from the Federal Secretariat on ELCC are currently working towards securing the authorities required to distribute this funding.

Key facts

According to the Building Construction Price Index, by the third quarter of 2022, construction costs of non-residential buildings increased by nearly 23% compared to early 2020 across Canada. Similarly, the Raw Materials Price Index—which measures price changes for raw materials— has eased from peak levels observed in summer 2022 (by middle of 2022, it had jumped by over 70% since 2020) but remains roughly 44% higher than at the onset of the pandemic.

These cost pressures are further magnified in the North. The high cost of supplies, a shorter construction season, skilled workforce shortages, and lack of municipal infrastructure in the North leads to higher costs to build and renovate child care spaces. It is estimated that the (weighted) average cost of an ELCC space in the territories is at least 30% higher than the average cost of a space in the rest of Canada of $12,688 a space.

Key messages

Through our Canada-wide negotiations, and in other bilateral discussions, we heard from provinces and territories that infrastructure funding is a challenge to the implementation of the Canada-wide early learning and child care system.

That is why Budget 2022 proposed $625 million over 4 years, beginning in 2023 to 2024, for an Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund.

This funding is intended to enable provinces and territories to make additional child care investments.

It also complements investments made in Budget 2021 for Indigenous early learning and child care infrastructure.

Issue

Status of the reduction in fees for regulated child care under the Canada-wide early learning and child care (ELCC) system.

Background

The Government of Canada is making a transformative investment to build a Canada-wide ELCC system in partnership with provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners. Budget 2021 provided new investments of up to $30 billion over 5 years, including up to $27.2 billion specifically for provinces and territories (PTs) to build access to a high-quality, affordable, and inclusive ELCC system across Canada.

The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development’s 2021 Mandate Letter provided direction to conclude negotiations with PTs and to implement agreements to:

• reduce fees for regulated child care by 50 % on average by the end of 2022 everywhere outside of Quebec
• reduce regulated child care fees to $10-a-day on average by the end of fiscal year 2025 to 2026 everywhere outside of Quebec; and
• build 250,000 new high-quality child care spaces by the end of fiscal year 2025 to 2026

The Governments of Canada and Quebec have entered into asymmetric ELCC agreements, given that the province already has an affordable and well-established system. As such, Quebec is not subject to the same accountability and reporting requirements, and does not have annual action plans.

The Government of Canada has signed agreements with every PT to deliver a Canada-wide ELCC system.

All PTs have announced reductions in fees for regulated child care (see Table 1).

Key messages

Under the Canada-wide ELCC system, the federal government is working with PT governments to reduce fees for regulated child care to an average of $10-a-day.

Prior to establishing the Canada-wide system, Quebec and Yukon were providing ELCC in their jurisdictions for $10-a-day or less.

As of April 2, 2023, 6 PTs will be delivering ELCC for an average of $10-a-day or less. Quebec and Yukon were at an average of $10-a-day or less prior to the Canada-wide ELCC system. Under the Canada-wide ELCC system, Nunavut (December 1, 2022), Newfoundland and Labrador (January 1, 2023), Saskatchewan (April 1, 2023) and Manitoba (April 2, 2023) will have reduced fees for regulated child care in their jurisdictions to an average of $10-a-day.

With Manitoba’s recent announcement that it will attain $10-a-day on April 2, all provinces and territories will have either attained $10-a-day or reduced parent fees by 50% or more.

Issue

Qualifications and shortages of early childhood educators (ECEs).

Background

The Government of Canada made a transformative investment of over $27 billion over 5 years as part of Budget 2021 to build a Canada-wide early learning and child care (ELCC) system with provinces and territories (PTs).

In addition, the Government of Canada provided $420 million in 2021 to 2022 for PTs to support the recruitment and retention of ECEs, in recognition of the workforce’s central role in providing high-quality ELCC.

Rather than including provisions on hiring a specific number of ECEs, all Canada-wide ELCC Agreements, with the exception of the asymmetrical agreement with Quebec, prioritize quality through the requirements of:

• developing and implementing evidence based quality frameworks, standards, and tools for early learning and child care
• increasing the percentage of certified child care workers, and
• implementing wage grids or frameworks when not already in place

This approach provides more flexibility to PTs to adapt their recruitment and retention efforts to their unique early learning and child care sector in their jurisdiction and meet their needs.

Many PTs have already announced new supports for ECEs in areas such as hiring, retention, training and wages (Annex A).

Many of the challenges that PTs are facing in the development of an ECE workforce are shared and potentially exacerbated in an Indigenous context.

In addition to navigating labour force shortages, needing to establish competitive wage grids and working to eliminate barriers to ECE education and training, Indigenous governments are having to develop culturally-appropriate training modules and build human capacity that is grounded in culture and can support linguistic revitalization interests.

Key facts

The ELCC workforce falls under PT jurisdiction. PTs regulate the specific educational and training requirements to become a certified or registered ECE.

As of December 2022, Canada’s Labour Force Survey estimates that the employment level among ECEs and Assistants in Canada is 11 % below pre-pandemic levels, with approximately 28,500 fewer people, mostly women, working in this occupation compared to early 2020. At the same time, Canada’s overall employment levels surpassed pre-pandemic levels (+3.3 %), suggesting many of these workers may have moved to different occupations over this period^{Footnote 8}.

Low pay in the sector is one of the most critical factors contributing to workforce shortages. In 2021, the median hourly wage for staff working in licensed child care was $20.^{Footnote 9} Other challenges to recruiting and retaining a qualified workforce include lack of benefits, poor working conditions and lack of recognition and respect for the profession.^{Footnote 10}

The Canada-wide ELCC Agreements all contain commitments to support a highly qualified ECE workforce, such as wage grids for ECEs and increasing the percentage of certified ECEs.

A University of Toronto report estimates that 32,000 additional educators are required to meet the goal of the Canada-wide ELCC system of serving 59% of preschool-aged children over the next 5 years.^{Footnote 11}

Budget 2022’s estimates for ECE jobs to be created show that the government’s target in the Mandate Letter for the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development of hiring 40,000 more ECEs by the end of fiscal year 2025 to 2026 is likely to be met by the conclusion of agreements.

Key messages

The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of a highly trained, qualified ELCC workforce to ensure the availability of high-quality child care.

That is why we are providing provinces and territories with over $27 billion over 5 years through bilateral funding agreements to support the establishment of a Canada-wide ELCC system.

Bilateral agreements with provinces and territories all contain commitments to support a qualified ECE workforce, such as wage grids for educators and initiatives to increase the percentage of certified ECEs.

We also provided dedicated workforce funding of $420 million in 2021 to 2022 to provinces and territories for initiatives to attract and retain ECEs.

Some provinces and territories have already started to announce ECE workforce strategies and measures to recruit and retain these workers in the sector.

For example, throughout 2022 several provinces and territories, including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Northwest Territories announced wage increases, while Manitoba has announced the creation of a wage grid.

Annex A: Breakdown of ECE initiatives by jurisdiction

Issue

Impact of Inflation on the Canada-wide ELCC system

Background

Budget 2021 announced new investments totaling up to $30 billion over 5 years, including up to $27.2 billion over 5 years for transfers to provinces and territories (PT) to reduce parent fees to an average of $10-a-day per child and create 250,000 new spaces by 2025 to 2026.

Over the next 5 years, annual PT transfers will increase steadily as fees are reduced and spaces are created. Beginning in 2026 to 2027, PT transfers will reach an ongoing steady state of $8.35 billion annually including Budget 2017 (made permanent in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement) and Budget 2021 investments.

The 2021 Mandate Letter for the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development provided direction to continue advancing the creation and sustainability of a Canada-wide ELCC system.

In response to requests from PTs, and to support the implementation of a Canada-wide ELCC system, Budget 2022 provided $625 million over 4 years, beginning in 2023 to 2024, to Employment and Social Development Canada for an ELCC Infrastructure Fund. This funding will enable PTs to make additional child care investments. In Quebec, funding will be delivered via an asymmetrical agreement that will allow the province to further enhance its child care system.

Key facts

Due to direct and indirect economic impacts of the pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the global economy has experienced higher than expected inflation, including here in Canada. On an annual average basis, inflation in Canada rose by 6.8% in 2022, the largest increase since 1982.

Additionally, costs for construction and key raw materials have increased at rates that far outpace inflation, creating additional cost pressures on capital infrastructure projects PTs planned as a part of the Canada-wide ELCC system.

Funding for the Canada-wide ELCC system is increasing every year from 2021 to 2022 to 2025 to 2026, providing some flexibility to respond to inflation over the life of the current agreements with PTs.

It is expected that the cost of maintaining a Canada-wide ELCC system will, at a minimum, increase at the rate of inflation each year.

Key messages

Funding for the Canada-wide ELCC system is increasing every year until 2025 to 2026, and provinces and territories have made firm commitments to achieve our shared objectives and agreed upon targets.

As we worked with provinces and territories on the implementation of agreements, many raised that infrastructure funding was a challenge for non-profit and public providers where real estate costs were too high or building materials too expensive.

That is why Budget 2022 proposed $625 million over four years, beginning in 2023 to 2024, for an Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund.

This funding will support provinces and territories in making additional child care investments.

We are working closely and collaboratively with provinces and territories, speaking to stakeholders, and listening to parents and families as we continue the ongoing work to build a more resilient Canada-wide ELCC system.

As that process unfolds, we will encounter challenges, but our intention to move from a patchwork child care model to a Canada-wide system was initiated in part to safeguard this essential service from future shocks like the pandemic and the global economic disruption.

Funding

2021 to 2026 Canada-wide Agreement signed July 23, 2021. Total funding announced: $41.7M.

2021 to 2025 Extension Agreement signed August 12, 2021. Total funding announced: $10.2M and an additional $2.5M in one-time workforce funding in 2021 to 2022.

Affordability

Prior to the signing of the Canada-wide Agreement, Yukon had already implemented a $10‑a‑day child care system in April 2021.

Access

Through the Canada-wide Agreement, Yukon has announced the creation of an additional 200 spaces since signing their agreement – exceeding their Canada-wide target of 110 spaces.

Quality

Key Elements in the Agreements related to Early Childhood Educators (ECEs):

Implementation

The Yukon Canada-wide Implementation Committee has met twice, in July and November 2022, to discuss implementation actions to date and challenges with partners and stakeholders.

Funding

2021 to 2026 Canada-wide Agreement signed December 15, 2021. Total funding announced: $51.1M.

2021 to 2025 Extension Agreement signed August 9, 2021. Total funding announced: $10.3M and $2.6M in one-time workforce funding in 2021 to 2022.

Affordability

In February 2023, the Government of the Northwest Territories announced an increase in the Child Care Fee Reduction subsidy to providers, who will receive 60% of their average fees subsidized by the territory effective April 1. This follows the March 2022 announcement where the Northwest Territories reduced child care fees by 50%, retroactive to January 1, 2022 ahead of the December 2022 target.

In the same month the Government of the Northwest Territories announced that licensed programs will be able to increase their fees by 2% to 6%, depending on the total fee rates being charged by that program for infant and preschool spaces, and by a flat rate of $10 per month for out-of-school, effective April 1, 2023. This responds to public outcry from operators displeased with the 2.3% fee cap imposed on operators wishing to receive Canada-wide funding.

Access

Through the Canada-wide Agreement, Northwest Territories has announced the creation of 67 new child care spaces as part of target of 300 space commitment by end 2025 to 2026.

Quality

In October 2022, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Canada announced a $4.6 million investment in wage enhancements for early childhood educators between 2022 to 2023 and 2023 to 2024 to support recruitment and retention of educators. The 2-year transitional funding is intended to enhance wages for educators until the implementation of a wage grid in 2024 to 2025.

Key Elements in the Agreements related to Early Childhood Educators:

Implementation

In December 2022, the Northwest Territories held the first bilateral Implementation Committee. In February 2023, the territory held an engagement session with the Northwest Territories’ Early Childhood Association and several day home operators. The Government of Canada was invited and this fulfilled the second Implementation Committee meeting with stakeholders and partners.

Funding

2021 to 2026 Canada-wide Agreement signed January 23, 2022. Total funding announced: $66.1M.

2021 to 2025 Extension Agreement signed August 13, 2021. Total funding $10M and $2.8M in one-time workforce funding in 2021 to 2022.

Affordability

On January 24, 2023, the Government of Nunavut and Canada announced that since the implementation of the $10-a-day care, families in Nunavut could save up to $55 per day for each child in care, when compared to previous rates.

On November 17, 2022, the Government of Nunavut and Canada announced that preschool-aged children at licensed child care centres and licensed home day cares will be able to access child care for $10-a-day as of December 1, 2022.

Access

Through the Canada-wide Agreement, Nunavut has announced the creation of 30 new child care spaces as part of a target of 238 space commitment by end 2025 to 2026.

Quality

Nunavut continues to provide a recruitment and retention fund to all licensed child care centres, which supports wage enhancements for ECEs in approximately 283 current workforce positions. By March 2023, Nunavut will create a wage grid to support fair and transparent wages in child care and to incentivize advanced education and certification for early childhood educators.

Key Elements in the Agreements related to Early Childhood Educators:

Implementation

The first Implementation Committee meeting (bilateral session) took place on May 16, 2022 and a second meeting with partners and stakeholders, namely Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., occurred on June 15, 2022. Another session with partners and stakeholders took place on December 6, 2022 and a subsequent bilateral session on December 15, 2022.

Funding

2021 to 2026 Canada-wide Agreement signed July 8, 2021. Total funding announced: $3.2B.

2021 to 2025 Extension Agreement signed August 12, 2021. Total funding announced: $272.3M and an additional $48.8M in one-time workforce funding in 2021 to 2022.

Affordability

On January 31, 2023, British Columbia announced that an additional 725 child care spaces joined the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program in February 2023, bringing the number of spaces to more than 12,700 and helping families across the province save thousands of dollars per year.

On December 2, 2022, British Columbia announced that through a combination of child care fee reductions and the conversion of 10,500 spaces into $10 a Day spaces (increasing to 12,500 by early 2023), fees in the province were reduced by 50% on average.

Access

The Governments of Canada and British Columbia announced on May 2, 2022, that the province has created an additional 30,500 new regulated child care spaces funded since the launch of ChildCareBC in 2018. As part of the Canada-wide Agreement, British Columbia committed to creating an additional 30,000 spaces by 2025 to 2026 and a total of 40,000 spaces by March 2028. To date federal and provincial investments have funded 3,587 new spaces.

Quality

In April 2022, British Columbia announced the expansion of the provincially-funded $4/hour wage enhancement to include all ECEs employed in ELCC facilities, including those in administrative roles / not directly working with children.

In February 2022, British Columbia announced ECE recruitment and retention initiatives, including bursaries, peer mentorship programs, inclusion support, etc.

Key elements from the ELCC Agreements related to Early Childhood Educators:

Inclusion

On February 3, 2023, British Columbia announced additional investments in the Supported Child Development and Aboriginal Supported Child Development programs. An additional investment of $31.8 million provided through BC’s Canada-wide and bilateral extension agreements will ensure children with support needs are receiving inclusive child care, and that more child care providers will be trained to provide these services.

Implementation

Two Implementation Committee Meetings have been held which included robust discussion with partners and stakeholders.

British Columbia is engaging with Indigenous partners on Indigenous-led child care and exploring options for tripartite collaboration.

Funding

2021 to 2026 Canada-wide Agreement signed November 14, 2021. Total funding announced: $3.8B.

2021 to 2025 Extension Agreement signed July 23, 2021. Total funding announced: $235M and $56M in one-time workforce funding in 2021 to 2022.

Affordability

In November 2021, Alberta announced that, beginning in January 2022, parents will see fees reduced by half, on average, with families earning under $180,000 benefiting from additional subsidy.

Access

Through the Canada-wide Agreement, Alberta has announced the creation of 5,500 new child care spaces (1,800 NFP and 3,700 FP) as part of its target of 68,700 space commitment (42,500 NFP and 26,200 for-profit spaces) by end of 2025 to 2026.

Quality

Key Elements in the Agreements related to Early Childhood Educators:

Implementation

On January 31, 2023, Canada and Alberta announced a Cost Control Framework and For-Profit Expansion Plan. The Cost Control Framework will apply to both not-for-profit and for-profit operators to ensure the sound and reasonable use of public funds under the Canada-Alberta Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. This allows for a total of 22,500 for-profit spaces to be created in addition to the 3,700 for-profit and 42,500 not-for-profit spaces previously committed to in the Canada-Alberta Canada-wide Agreement. This means Alberta has committed to creating 68,700 new child care spaces by March 2026.

The first Implementation Committee meeting with Alberta and stakeholders took place on June 27, 2022, with the second taking place on December 9, 2022.

Funding

2021 to 2026 Canada-wide Agreement signed August 13, 2021. Total funding announced: $1.1B.

2021 to 2025 Extension Agreement signed August 13, 2021. Total funding announced: $68.5M and $17.2M in one-time workforce funding in 2021 to 2022.

Affordability

On March 6, 2023 the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan announced that the province will achieve $10-a-day licensed child care under the Canada-wide system effective April 1, 2023.

Access

Through the Canada-wide Agreement, Saskatchewan has announced the creation of 4,000 new child care spaces as part of its commitment to increase the net number of regulated child care spaces by at least 28,000 by end of fiscal year 2025 to 2026.

Quality

One-time grant to regulated and operational child care centres to assist them in recruiting and retaining qualified ECEs (March 2022); wage increase for ECE of $1- $5/hour (November 2021 and September 2022); creation of 3 new Early Years Family Resource Centres in the communities of Lloydminster, Swift Current and Weyburn (March 2022); and free training and tuition supports for the ELCC workforce through partnerships with Collège Mathieu, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) and Saskatchewan Polytechnic (Sask Polytech) (August 2022).

Inclusion

Grants to benefit families with vulnerable children and children experiencing disability (March 2022), additional inclusion grants to 3 Saskatchewan programs aimed at improving inclusion initiatives in child care (skills training specific to caring for children with medically complex needs under the age of 6, 2 developmental consultant roles, and 5 child care facilitator positions in Early Years Family Resource Centres across the province) (May 2022); and specific supports for children who require intensive support to attend ELCC programs, supporting support an additional 150 preschool-aged children for the 2022 to 23 school year (November 2022).

Implementation

The Canada-wide Implementation Committee has held 2 Implementation Committee meetings (June 13 and October 25, 2022). Both featured over 25 stakeholders and feedback captured was very positive, particularly on the issues of affordability and increased wages for ECEs, but included concerns related to the ELCC workforce and the plans for rapid space expansion.

Funding

2021 to 2026 Canada-wide Agreement signed August 9, 2021. Total funding announced: $1.2B.

2021 to 2025 Extension Agreement signed February 22, 2022. Total funding announced: $78.8M, and $19.2M in one-time workforce funding in 2021 to 2022.

Affordability

The province announced on March 3, 2023 an average of $10‑a‑day child care effective April 2, 2023 for Manitoba children age 6 and under in regulated care, 3 years ahead of the broader Canada-wide objective.

In February 2022, Manitoba expanded eligibility to its Child Care Subsidy Program, which will result in nearly half of regulated spaces being subsidized. The expansion will reduce out-of-pocket parent fees for families with children in regulated child care by 30% on average. Manitoba had among the lowest parent fees (at $20.70/day) prior to signing their Canada-wide agreement.

Access

Through the Canada-wide Agreement, Manitoba has announced funding for the creation of 3,133 new child care spaces as part of its commitment to create 23,000 spaces by end 2025 to 2026. The province has also announced funding for the creation of 190 spaces through provincial contributions, for a total of 3,323 new spaces since signing of their agreement.

Quality

On February 23, 2023, Manitoba announced one-time grant funding for three new quality enhancement grants: the Quality Early Learning and Environments Grant, the Innovative Recruitment and Retention Grant, and the Enhancing Diversity and Inclusion Grant.

Manitoba introduced a wage grid for educators based on level of training and experience retroactive to July 1, 2022. The province also announced tuition reimbursement for ECEs on October 27, 2022.

Implementation

A second Implementation Committee meeting is expected to take place in April 2023.

The first Canada-wide Implementation Committee meeting took place November 25, 2022 and included feedback from 2 members of Manitoba’s Minister’s Consultation Table and 2 representatives from the Manitoba Child Care Association. Topics of discussion included: affordability, workforce, space creation and inclusion. Manitoba officials touched briefly on progress to date under each topic but focused primarily on work underway and next steps.

Funding

2021 to 2026 Canada-wide Agreement signed March 27, 2022. Total funding announced: $10.2B.

2021 to 2025 Extension Agreement signed August 13, 2021. Total funding announced: $764.5M and $150M in one-time workforce funding in 2021 to 2022. Note: These agreements have not been formally announced nor published online.

Affordability

As of December 31, 2022, child care fees at licensed child care operators that have enrolled in the Canada-wide system have been reduced by an average of 50% (compared to 2020 levels).

On March 28, 2022 Ontario announced that child care fees in participating licensed child care centres would be reduced by up to 25 percent, to a minimum of $12-a-day, retroactive to April 1, 2022.

Access

On December 19, 2022, Ontario released its plan to allocate 53,000 new child care spaces across the province by December 2026, bringing the province’s total to 86,000 new spaces since 2019, and thus confirming that 33,000 spaces have been created since 2019.

Quality

Ontario introduced a wage floor on April 1, 2022, that raises wages to $18/hour for Registered ECEs and to $20/hour for Registered ECE Supervisors employed by licensed providers participating in the Canada-wide ELCC System.

Confirmed through Ontario’s 2023 funding guidelines, wage increases will be provided to eligible staff on top of the wage floor that was provided in 2022. Funding will support a top up of up to $1 per hour, to a maximum of $25 per hour, as well as an increase to the Registered ECE wage floor ($19/hour for Registered ECEs and $21/hour for Registered ECEs Supervisors) in 2023.

Implementation

The bilateral portion of the Implementation Committee with Ontario took place on October 28, 2022, and provided officials with the opportunity to discuss enrollment to the Canada-wide ELCC system, funding guidelines, space creation and inclusion. The stakeholder portion of the Implementation Committee will be planned once Terms of Reference have been agreed to.

Ontario is undertaking consultation sessions with the child care sector on access and inclusion priorities, the early years and child care workforce, and on Ontario’s pedagogy for the early years.

Funding

2021 to 2026 Canada-wide Agreement signed August 5, 2021. Total funding announced: $6B.

2021 to 2025 Extension Agreement signed September 20, 2022. Total funding per the agreement: $448M and $90M in one-time workforce funding in 2021 to 2022. Note that these agreements have not been announced nor published online.

Implementation

Quebec has asymmetrical agreements on ELCC given the province already has an affordable and well-established system. As such, it is not required to have a federal-provincial action plan nor an implementation committee.

Funding

2021 to 2026 Canada-wide ELCC Agreement signed December 12, 2021. Total funding announced: $492M.

2021 to 2025 Extension Agreement signed August 13, 2021. Total funding announced: $48.1M and $9.3M in one-time workforce funding in 2021 to 2022.

Affordability

New Brunswick achieved a 50% average fee reduction on June 1, 2022, 6 months ahead of schedule, and implemented a Standardized Parent Fee Grid that sets the fees operators can charge parents. The Parent Subsidy program has also been adapted to reflect the new low-fee model and will continue to support low- and middle-income families by further reducing out-of-pocket costs.

Access

On January 31, 2023, New Brunswick launched a Call for Proposals to create more child care spaces, with a focus on access to infant spaces. All proposals will be considered, however, not‑for-profit and family-based facilities will be prioritized. A space allocation grid has been created to identify regions with the greatest needs. Successful applicants will be eligible for three new types of funding to support the creation of the new child care spaces.

On March 23, 2022, New Brunswick announced updates to its online Parent Portal, which now allows parents to enroll their children in child care online.

On November 1, 2022, a new space creation policy for designated facilities came into effect to prioritize not-for-profit facilities and infant spaces, including home child care, and a needs-based process to support responsible growth of the sector. This is part of New Brunswick’s new Space Creation Strategy.

New Brunswick also announced an expansion to the parent Subsidy Program to include newcomers.

Quality

On June 29, 2022, New Brunswick announced that inclusion support workers will receive an increase in hourly wages, matching their compensation with ECEs.

On November 1, 2022, New Brunswick implemented an ECE wage grid which operates as a wage floor; operators may choose to pay educators more than the amounts laid out in the grid. The maximum wage for a Level 1 educator aligns with the previously announced wage increase for trained educators ($23.47/hr), while the maximum wage for an Entry Level educator is the same as the previously announced wage increase for untrained educators ($16.90/hr).

Implementation

The first Canada-New Brunswick Canada-wide ELCC Implementation Committee meeting took place on May 6, 2022. The second Implementation Committee took place on December 9, 2022. Discussions focused on progress towards achieving the objectives of the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, including: affordability, access, quality, the Early Childhood Educator workforce, and inclusion initiatives.

Funding

2021 to 2026 Canada-wide ELCC Agreement signed July 13, 2021. Total funding announced: $605M.

2021 to 2025 Extension Agreement signed July 9, 2021. Total funding announced: $58M and $10.9M in one-time workforce funding in 2021 to 2022.

Affordability

In January 2022 (and again in March 2022), Nova Scotia announced a 25 percent, on average, reduction in child care fees as of April 1, 2022, retroactive to January 1, 2022. They announced a further 25% reduction to reach the shared goal of a 50% reduction in child care fees on November 28, 2022, which was implemented on December 31, 2022.

Access

On November 28, 2022, the province announced that they would create 1,100 new spaces by the end of the year under its Canada-wide agreement, as part of its target of 9,500 spaces commitment by the end of 2025 to 2026.

Quality

On May 20, 2022, Nova Scotia launched the Minister’s ELCC Engagement Table, to provide direct input and guidance on next steps in the province’s plan to transform child care.

On October 11, 2022, a new wage scale for ECEs was announced, which included a wage increase in the range of 30% for most of the 2,600 ECEs, retroactive to July 4, 2022. On February 18, 2022, Nova Scotia announced additional funding for operators to offset the 25% parent fee reduction and a one-time grant to support rising operational costs.

Implementation

The first Canada-wide Implementation Committee meeting took place on June 14, 2022, and the second took place on November 30, 2022. Discussions focused on progress towards achieving the objectives of the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, including: affordability, access, quality, the Early Childhood Educator workforce, and inclusion initiatives.

Not-For-Profit Transition: Nova Scotia intended to transform its entire ELCC sector to publicly delivered child care as part of the Canada-wide Action Plan. This transition was met with concerns from for-profit providers, who currently make up approximately 56 percent of providers. Nova Scotia has postponed the transition, committed to an engagement process, and offered all child care operators funding agreements for 2022 to 2023, as in past years.

Funding

2021 to 2026 Canada-wide ELCC Agreement signed July 27, 2021. Total funding announced: $117.7M and $3.6M in one-time workforce funding in 2021 to 2022.

2021 to 2025 Extension Agreement signed August 12, 2021. Total funding announced: $16M.

Affordability

On December 21, 2021, Prince Edward Island announced that parents and guardians with children in designated and licensed Early Years Centres across the province would see child care fees reduced to $25-a-day on January 1, 2022.

On December 16, 2022 Prince Edward Island announced that they reached the shared goal of a 50% reduction in child care fees by implementing $20-a-day parent fees, combined with provincial subsidies to eligible families and the expansion of the publicly-funded pre-kindergarten program.

Access

On December 16, 2022 Prince Edward Island announced that seven additional early childhood centres received an official Early Years Centre designation from the province.

On April 27, 2022, Prince Edward Island announced that more than 230 affordable child care spaces were being added across the province, with 5 additional early childhood centres receiving an official Early Years Centre designation from the province.

On February 4, 2022 and again on November 8, 2022, Prince Edward Island announced new financial support available for people who provide child care in their home and want to be licensed to operate as a family home centre.

Quality

On December 16, 2022 Prince Edward Island announced wage increases for staff at Early Years Centres, including for ECEs.

On November 8, 2022, Prince Edward Island announced further support for licensed home child care centres in the form of grants and incentives to reduce parent fees, fund wages and professional development, and purchase supplies.

On February 18, 2022, Prince Edward Island launched a new one-time Return to the ECE Profession Grant of $5,000, to support the early childhood workforce to help recruit ECEs back to the sector.

Implementation

The first Canada-wide Implementation Committee meeting took place on August 30, 2022, and the second took place on November 29, 2022. Discussions focused on progress towards achieving the objectives of the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, including: affordability, access, quality, the Early Childhood Educator workforce, and inclusion initiatives.

Funding

2021 to 2026 Canada-wide ELCC Agreement signed July 28, 2021. Total funding announced: $306M.

2021 to 2025 Extension Agreement signed July 28, 2021. Total funding announced: $35M and $6.5M in one-time workforce funding in 2021 to 2022.

Affordability

Newfoundland and Labrador implemented $10-a-day child care effective January 1, 2023 (official announcement forthcoming).

On March 9, 2022, Newfoundland and Labrador announced that it had achieved its target of implementing $15-a-day child care on January 1, 2022. This reduction exceeds the goal to reduce 2019 average fees by 50 percent by December 2022. The province also noted that an Early Learning and Child Care Minister’s Advisory Committee had been created.

On December 15, 2021, Newfoundland and Labrador announced changes to the Child Care Subsidy net income threshold and the elimination of parental contributions under that program to support lower-income families in accessing regulated child care at a reduced or no cost, one year ahead of schedule.

Access

Newfoundland and Labrador has launched a pilot pre-kindergarten program with the YMCA, which will create 600 spaces by March 31, 2023, as part of its space creation target of 5,895 spaces by March 31, 2026.

Quality

Newfoundland and Labrador is expected to implement a wage grid for ECEs in 2023.

On July 12, 2022, Newfoundland and Labrador announced a new Early Childhood Education Needs-Based Incentive Grant to provide eligible students in approved programs with non-repayable grants of up to $10,000.

On November 25, 2021, Newfoundland and Labrador announced that, effective January 1, 2022, the base rate of pay for Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) working in regulated child care services under the Operating Grant Program will increase from $14 to $15 per hour.

Implementation

The first Canada-wide Implementation Committee meeting took place on July 26, 2022, and the second took place on November 16, 2022. Discussions focused on progress towards achieving the objectives of the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, including: affordability, access, quality, the Early Childhood Educator workforce, and inclusion initiatives.

1. Overview

You are invited to appear before the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) on Bill C-35, Canada Early Learning and Child Care Act. The Committee started the study on March 7, 2023, with officials providing a 2-hour technical briefing.

2. Committee proceedings

The appearance is scheduled to take place on March 10, 2023, from 8:45 am to 9:45 am.

You will have up to 5 minutes for opening remarks.

You will be accompanied by:

• Michelle Lattimore, DG, Federal Secretariat on Early Learning and Child Care
• Cheri Reddin, Director General, Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Secretariat
• Kelly Nares, Director, Federal Secretariat on Early Learning and Child Care
• Christian Paradis, Director, Federal Secretariat on Early Learning and Child Care
• Jill Henry, Director, Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Secretariat

HUMA Member Michelle Ferreri is the CPC critic for Families, Children and Social Development. The NDP and BQ critics, Leah Gazan and Sylvie Bérubé respectively, are not members but may be present for your appearance as well as for the duration of the study on Bill C-35.

HUMA has agreed that questioning of witnesses would be allocated as follows:

• Round 1: 6 minutes for the first questioner of each party as follows:
  • Conservative Party
  • Liberal Party
  • Bloc Québécois
  • New Democratic Party
• For the second and subsequent rounds, the order and time for questioning be as follows:
  • Conservative Party, 5 minutes
  • Liberal Party, 5 minutes
  • Bloc Québécois, 2 and a half minutes
  • New Democratic Party, 2 and a half minutes
  • Conservative Party, 5 minutes
  • Liberal Party, 5 minutes

Access

Spaces

• Provide number of spaces created over next 5 years per fiscal year
• When do you expect those spaces to be created?

Waitlists, Eligibility and Shiftwork

• How will this bill address waitlists?
• How will this bill expand eligibility?
• How will parents working shiftwork be guaranteed access to child care spaces?

Rural regions

• How will this bill improve access to child care in rural and remote regions of the country?
• How many spaces are going to rural Canada?

Supply and infrastructure

How will this bill address the high demand but limited supply and infrastructure?

Private vs public/not-for-profit

• Why does the government favour some models and exclude the for-profit model?
• Doesn’t the government support entrepreneur women running daycare services out of their homes?

Workforce and labour shortages

Labour Shortage for ECEs

• Considering labour shortages, how do you intend to hire the required new child care educators?
• What is the impact of labour shortages on the quality of child care services?
• What is the current burnout rate for ECEs?

Talent Recruitment, Training and Retention of ECEs

• What is being done to train these educators, and how many have been trained to date?
• How does this bill improve the value of ECEs as a profession?

Wages and Benefits

• How can the government ensure regulation of wage scales and fees for parents?
• How will the government ensure fair pay, benefits, working conditions and gender equality for ECEs?

Indigenous ELCC

New spaces

How many of the 3,300 new Indigenous child care spaces mentioned in your mandate letter have been created so far?

Consultations and Work with Indigenous Communities

• How are you to ensure that Indigenous communities are receiving the support they need?
• Why does the bill not include the right to Free, Prior & Informed Consent (FPIC) when designing the Indigenous program?
• How will you address the Manitoba Métis Federation calling on the provincial and federal governments to be more inclusive after the organization was omitted from an ongoing child care project?

Jurisdiction, language rights, governance

Linguistic minority spaces

Do all signed agreements include language clauses to protect the rights of linguistic minorities in a minority situation?

Withdrawal of agreement

• Can a province withdraw from the agreement and retain full compensation? (Quebec)?
• Can there be a transfer of funds to Quebec without conditions?
• Will you extend the exemption after 5 years?

Provincial jurisdiction

• Does this bill not impede on provincial jurisdiction?
• Was C-35 modeled after the Quebec system and how?

Funding, Governance

National Advisory Council

• Will there be spaces reserved for the Indigenous community on the National Advisory Council?
• Will there be representatives of the for-profit model on the National Advisory Council?

Impact of inflation

• How will this bill help provinces address the current inflation rate?
• How do you anticipate provinces will deal with the rising operating costs when inflation is at 6% per year and you have capped the fee increase at 3% per year?
• Will there be less spaces, will you provide more funding?

Long-term funding

• How does the bill ensure long-term funding of child care across Canada?
• How does it ensure that funding is used as intended by the provinces?

Committee members biography (title not included in original binder)

Chad Collins, Liberal Party, Hamilton East–Stoney Creek, Ontario

Brief biography

Chad Collins was first elected to the House of Commons for Hamilton East - Stoney Creek on September 20, 2021. A lifelong resident of Hamilton East - Stoney Creek, Chad resides in the Davis Creek area with his wife Mary and 2 children, Chase and Reese. He attended Glendale Secondary School, the University of Western Ontario, and McMaster University. Chad was first elected to City Council in 1995, at the age of 24, making him one of the youngest elected representatives in the City's history.

Chad is passionate about engaging local residents and community stakeholders, focusing on revitalization of infrastructure, development of social housing and stream-lining municipal programs.

As President of City Housing Hamilton, Chad has been committed to addressing the City's aging affordable housing stock by pressuring all levels of government to invest in the much needed repair of over 7,000 publicly owned units. He continues to work on nearly a dozen new projects across the City and in the riding that will provide new affordable housing units to those in need.

From the creation and development of new community parks and trails to the opening of a new food bank, Chad knows community consultation is an integral part of improving quality of life for everyone in Hamilton East - Stoney Creek.

Of note:

Key issues of interest: affordable housing.

Michael Coteau, Liberal Party, Don Valley East, Ontario

Brief biography

Michael Coteau was first elected to the House of Commons for Don Valley East on September 20, 2021. He has served as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Don Valley East since 2011. During his time in the Ontario government, his ministerial roles include: Minister of Children and Youth Services; Minister Responsible for Anti-Racism; Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport; Minister Responsible for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games; and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

Prior to entering the provincial government, Michael was elected as a school board trustee for the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) in 2003, 2006 and 2010. As a trustee, Michael advocated for student nutrition, community use of space and the use of educational technology. He initiated the ‘Community Use of Schools’ motion that drastically cut user fees and made schools more accessible to groups that offer programs for children. He helped introduce nutritional changes in schools that supported healthy food programs and increased awareness of student hunger.

Michael worked as an ESL instructor and curriculum developer before becoming a community organizer for a United Way agency in Scarborough. He was also the Marketing Manager for ABC Life Literacy, where he was responsible for the organizing of the Family Literacy Day across Canada, and was Executive Director of Alpha Plus, a national literacy organization mandated to support adult education through the use of technology.

Michael grew up in Don Valley East and attended Don Mills Middle School and Victoria Park Collegiate Institute. He holds a degree from Carleton University in Political Science and Canadian History. He and his wife Lori live in Toronto with their 2 daughters, Maren and Myla.

Of note:

• spent 10 years in the Ontario legislature
• Key issues of interest:
  • Low-income families
  • Supporting Black Canadian Communities

Wayne Long, Liberal Party, Saint John – Rothesay, New Brunswick 

Brief biography

Wayne Long was first elected to the House of Commons for Saint John — Rothesay in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019 and 2021. He is a member of the Saint John community with national and international business experience. Wayne currently serves as President of the Saint John Sea Dogs, and his efforts have helped turn the team into one of Canada’s most successful CHL hockey franchises winning the cherished Memorial Cup in 2011. That same year, Wayne was recognized with the John Horman Trophy, awarded to the Top Executive in the QMJHL.

Prior to his work with the Sea Dogs, Wayne was President of Scotiaview Seafood Inc. He was also a successful large-scale product manager with Stolt Sea Farm Inc. Wayne’s work has seen him travel across North America, negotiating contracts with national restaurant distributors, restaurant chains, and retail chains. He earned the North American Excellence in Sales and Marketing award twice. Wayne is a former Board Member for Destination Marketing and Salmon Marketing.

Wayne was born in the riding, and currently calls the area home alongside his wife, Denise, and their 2 children, Khristian and Konnor.

Of note:

• Has been a member of HUMA since the beginning of the 42nd Parliament (2015)
• Key issues of interest:
  • poverty
  • mental health
  • outspoken support of the Energy East oil pipeline project
  • previously broken ranks with party (Energy East, tax policy, SNC-Lavalin) which resulted in being kicked off House committees as punishment
  • frequently makes sports parallel (hockey)
  • government programs and support that benefit his constituents

Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Liberal Party, PS for Housing and Diversity and Inclusion (Housing), Hochelaga, Québec

Brief biography

Soraya Martinez Ferrada was first elected to the House of Commons for Hochelaga in 2019 and re-elected in 2021. She was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in 20219 and became Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport in 2021. She has also served on the Standing Committee on Official Languages in the last Parliament.

She is a proud resident of the east end of Montréal. Originally from Chile, her family settled in the area in the 1980s. Soraya has deep roots in the community where she currently resides with her son and daughter.

Before being elected, Soraya worked for more than 20 years in the community where she specialized in communications and developed multiple cultural and political projects. Among her achievements, she created the very first cultural and socio-professional integration program at TOHU, a unique example of sustainable development in Montréal.

In 2005, she was elected as a city councillor and appointed by the mayor to the position of Associate Advisor for Culture on the City’s Executive Committee. In 2009, she became Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Official Opposition at Montréal City Hall. She transitioned to the federal government in 2015 as Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

She created the Vedette d’Hochelaga video clips in which she highlights the commitment of citizens, community organizations, and entrepreneurs in the riding of Hochelaga. She has also set up virtual roundtables and regular newsletters that present federal programs directly serving the people of her riding.

Of note:

Parliamentary Secretary – Housing and Diversity and Inclusion (Housing)

• Key issues of interest:
  • poverty
  • Quebec-focused
  • multiculturalism

Robert (Bobby) J. Morrissey, Liberal Party, Egmont, Prince Edward Island 

Brief biography

In 2015, Bobby was elected to the House of Commons and was re-elected in 2019 and 2021. He served as a Member on the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, as well as the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Previously, he was elected to the Prince Edward Island Legislative Assembly in 1982 and has dedicated his career and volunteer life to serving the residents of PEI.

Having served as MLA for nearly 20 years, Bobby has a deep understanding of his communities’ needs. He has held a number of high-profile roles within the Assembly, such as Minister of Transportation and Public Works, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, and Opposition House Leader. He was also responsible for the redevelopment of the Canadian Forces Base Summerside and the surrounding community following its closure by the federal government in 1989. Bobby left politics in 2000 to join the private sector as a consultant specializing in government relations, fisheries, and the labour market. Bobby has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of PEI. He was the founding member and former president of the Tignish Seniors Home Care Co-op, and Vice-Chair of Tignish Special Needs Housing.

Of note:

• Chair of HUMA
• former member of HUMA in 2019 (briefly before the general election)

Tony Van Bynen, Liberal Party, Newmarket– Aurora, Ontario 

Brief biography

Tony Van Bynen was first elected to the House of Commons for Newmarket-Aurora in 2019 and re-elected 2021. A resident of Newmarket for over 40 years, Tony and his wife Roxanne raised their 2 daughters there.

Community service, volunteerism, and helping those who need it most is what drives Tony every day. He and Roxanne have volunteered at the Southlake Hospital, and the Inn from the Cold, for over 10 years. They also deliver food for the Newmarket Food Bank, and Tony was instrumental in creating Belinda’s Place, which is a multi-purpose facility for homeless and at-risk women.

He also had the privilege of serving as the Mayor of Newmarket for 12 years. During that time, community building is what guided Tony on his mission to revitalize Main Street, renew the historic Old Town Hall, and build the Riverwalk Commons so families and friends can enjoy great public places.

Through his previous role as the President of the Chamber of Commerce, and his 30-year career in banking, Tony understands what local businesses need to thrive and grow. He’s delivered innovative solutions to help local business owners find success, including creating the Envi broadband network, so businesses in the community have ultra-high-speed connectivity, which has been particularly crucial during the pandemic.

Of note:

Key issues of interest: focused studies to help Canadians, especially getting through the pandemic

Rosemarie Falk Conservative Party, Associate Labour Critic, Battlefords–Lloydminster, Saskatchewan

Brief biography

Rosemarie Falk is the Conservative candidate for Battlefords-Lloydminster. Rosemarie was born and raised in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. Along with her husband Adam, she is now raising her children there. She has always been actively engaged in her community. Throughout her social work career and extensive volunteer work she has worked with some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

Rosemarie was first elected to the House of Commons in a by-election on December 11, 2017. Prior to this, Rosemarie worked as a registered Social Worker in Saskatchewan and has a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary. She also has experience as a legal assistant specializing in family law and as a legislative assistant in federal politics.

In October 2022, under the new Conservative Party leader, she was named to the new Official Opposition's Shadow Cabinet as the Associate Shadow Minister for Labour and Associate Labour Critic.

Of note:

• She has served as a member of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration and as a member of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and Status of Persons with Disabilities
• Rosemarie is committed to being a strong voice for seniors, families, taxpayers and rural communities
• Associate Critic- Labour in the Official Opposition's shadow cabinet

Michelle Ferreri, Conservative Party for Families, Children and Social Development Critic, Peterborough–Kawatha, Ontario 

Brief biography

Michelle is the Member of Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha and was elected in the 2021 federal election. Michelle was appointed as Shadow Minister for Tourism as part of the Conservative Shadow Cabinet for the 44th Parliament. In October 2022, under the new Conservative Party leader, she was named to the new Official Opposition's Shadow Cabinet as the Minister for Families, Children and Social Development.

Prior to being elected, Michelle was a well-known community advocate, an award-winning entrepreneur, a committed volunteer, and a highly sought-after public speaker and social media marketer.

Michelle has over 20 years’ experience in media, marketing and public speaking. During her time as a reporter, one of Michelle’s most memorable experiences was when she had the opportunity to visit the Canadian Forces Base, Alert and fly to the station on a C-17 Globemaster.

Michelle is a graduate of Trent University (Biology/Anthropology) and Loyalist College (Biotechnology). Her education in science has led her to be a passionate advocate for physical and mental health.

She is a proud mother of three children, between the ages of 12 and 17, and shares her life with her supportive partner, Ryan, and his three daughters.

Of note:

• She is a member of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women since December 9, 2021
• Michelle is interested in physical and mental health, housing, the economy and food security
• Critic- Families, Children and Social Development in the Official Opposition's shadow cabinet

Tracy Gray, Conservative Party; Employment, Future Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Critic, Kelowna – Lake Country, British Columbia

Brief biography

Tracy was elected to serve as Member of Parliament for the riding of Kelowna-Lake Country in October 2019. In October 2022, under the new Conservative Party leader, she was named to the new Official Opposition's Shadow Cabinet as the Shadow Minister for Employment, Future Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion. She previously served as Shadow Minister for Interprovincial Trade and as the Shadow Minister for Export Promotion and International Trade.

Tracy has extensive business experience and worked most of her career in the BC beverage industry. She founded and owned Discover Wines VQA Wine Stores, which included the number one wine store in BC for 13 years. She is has been involved in small businesses in different sectors including financing, importing, oil and gas service and a technology start-up.

The daughter of a firefighter and Catholic School teacher, Tracy grew up around service and a strong work ethic. She has one son and been married for 27 years.

Tracy has received many accolades including RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the year, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award and 100 New Woman Pioneers in BC.

Tracy served with many organisations over the years. She was appointed to serve by BC Cabinet to the Passenger Transportation Board and elected to the Board of Prospera Credit Union for 10 years. In addition, she served on the Okanagan Film Commission, Clubhouse Childcare Society, Okanagan Regional Library Trustee and Chair of the Okanagan Basin Water Board.

Of note:

• Critic – Employment, Future Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion in the Official Opposition's shadow cabinet
• Sponsor: Bill C-283, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (addiction treatment in penitentiaries) and M-46 National Adoption Awareness Month (outside order of precedence)

Scott Aitchison, Conservative Party, Housing and Diversity and Inclusion Critic, Parry Sound–Muskoka, Ontario

Brief biography

Scott Aitchison was born and raised in Huntsville, Ontario. After leaving home at 15, Scott was raised by the character of his hometown. In October 2022, under the new Conservative Party leader, he was named to the new Official Opposition's Shadow Cabinet as the Shadow Minister for Housing and Diversity and Inclusion.

Scott was first elected at the age of 21 to Huntsville Town Council. After serving as Town Councillor, District Councillor and Deputy Mayor, he was elected as Mayor of Huntsville in 2014 on a promise of fiscal discipline, responsible governance and excellent customer service. As Mayor, he built a reputation as a consensus-builder relentlessly focused on breaking down barriers and finding solutions.

Of note:

Critic – Housing and Diversity and Inclusion in the Official Opposition's shadow cabinet

Bonita Zarrillo, New Democratic Party, Disability Inclusion Critic Port Moody–Coquitlam, British Columbia 

Brief biography

Bonita Zarrillo was first elected as Member of Parliament for Port Moody-Coquitlam in 2021. She is known to be a voice for equality and drives systemic change that puts people first. She entered public service so she could advocate for working people and to support the needs of the most vulnerable in the community. She championed buy-local as a tool for small businesses to thrive and to enable them to hire locally, challenged pipeline corporations to pay their fair share, and completed a successful housing affordability strategy that generated the most rental housing starts in her region.

On Coquitlam Council, Bonita served on the following: Fraser Health Municipal Government Advisory Council, Multiculturism Advisory Committee, Metro Vancouver Indigenous Relations Committee, Universal Access Ability Advisory Committee, and past Board Member for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. She sat on the board of two local Not-For-Profits that advocate for gender equality and speaks regularly at The Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations.

Before being elected to municipal government, Bonita worked in consumer products as a Business Analyst for companies across North America and Europe. She has a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Manitoba, a Human Resource Management Certificate from the University of Calgary and has a Computer Science Degree from CDI Montreal.

Of note:

• Critic – Disability Inclusion
• pledged to help Canadians through collaborative committee work
• key issues of interest:
  • mental health and suicide prevention
  • women’s issues and gender equality
  • workers’ conditions
  • care economy

Louise Chabot, Bloc Québecois, Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Critic Thérèse-De Blainville, Quebec

Brief biography

Louise Chabot was first elected as Member of Parliament in 2019 and was re-elected in 2021. She was born in 1955 in Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse, Quebec, is a Quebec trade unionist and politician. She was president of the Centrale des Syndicates du Québec (CSQ) from 2012 to 2018. The organization initially represented nearly 200,000 members, including 130,000 in the education and early childhood sector. She coordinated a major unionization project that resulted in the consolidation of more than 15,000 family day care managers, a first in the union world in Canada.

Of note:

• Critic – Employment, Workforce Development & Labour Critic
• sponsored the Committee’s study on the Review of the EI Program in 2021; critical of the EI program in general and very outspoken about seasonal workers’ trou noir and inadequate sickness benefits
• interested in seniors’ financial security and their purchasing power
• seek to enact federal anti-scab legislation
• supporter of labour unions – Former president of Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ)
• member of the consultative committee for Quebec’s Pay Equity Commission
• advocate for increase in health transfers
• respect for provincial jurisdictions
• labour shortages
• nurse by profession