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Victoria Parlatore (she/her) is a PhD Candidate in the Higher Education (HE) program. As a graduate of the Master of Arts program in Educational Leadership and Policy (ELP),

The Department of Leadership, Higher & Adult Education's Student Association (LHAE DSA) hosted the 3rd iteration of the Human Rights & Equity Symposium.

Excerpt: "The Department of Education’s Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) division is increasing the ELCC Wage Scale Program rates by 7.5% starting April 1, 2025 to support recruitment and retention of staff in licensed child care centres. Through federal funding, the ELCC Wage Scale Program provides licensed child care centres serving children ages 0-6 years, the opportunity to ensure fair and competitive wages for their staff. The wage scale applies to four categories of staff: Management; Early Childhood Educators; Program Support; Centre Support."

Excerpt: "Bill 66 - Early Learning and Child Care Act (Bill 66), was introduced on February 24, 2025, which proposes to replace the Child Day Care Act inherited when Nunavut became a territory. The proposed legislation ensures that Nunavut’s early learning and child care programs are accessible, affordable, inclusive, and rooted in Inuit culture, values and language. This represents a significant step forward in prioritizing the well-being and education of children in Nunavut. Bill 66 also introduces critical updates, including: Improved licensing requirements and duties for operators to enhance safety and accountability; Creation of the Early Learning and Child Care Council, a body to provide guidance and oversight; Expanded accessibility, affordability, and inclusivity for families across the territory; Enhanced support for the well-being of children, caregivers, and educators."

Presented by Dr. Emis Akbari, Executive Director, Atkinson Centre, OISE/University of Toronto, to the Réseau Interagir: provincial francophone early years network, February 25, 2025.

Excerpt: "The provincial government has allocated 3,600 new designated preschool child-care spaces. Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Claire Johnson said the spaces have been allocated in areas of the province where the need is greatest. “Increasing access to child care is a top priority for our province, given our growing population and the desire for new parents to return to the workforce,” said Johnson. “We are excited that more families will have access to affordable, high-quality child-care spaces, and are thankful to our operators for their hard work and commitment to make these spaces available.”"

Excerpt: "The Province, in partnership with the Government of Canada, will address the pressing child care needs Island families face through the Canada-Prince Edward Island Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. Two new grants under this agreement will help establish more licensed early childhood centres and support high-quality, inclusive early learning initiatives. Current designated and probationary early years centres can apply for one-time funding up to $35,000 based on enrollment through the Inclusive Equipment and Materials Grant. Funding through this grant will allow them to purchase items such as sensory equipment and educational technology that enhance inclusive early years education programming. Through the new Non-Profit Organization Child Care Start-Up Grant, the Province is providing one-time funding, up to $200,000, for eligible construction and renovation costs to NPOs who operate new early childhood centres for at least five years and prioritizes infants and toddlers spaces. Eligible applicants will also be expected to become designated within 18 months after opening."

Presented by Dr. Emis Akbari, Executive Director, Atkinson Centre, OISE/University of Toronto, to the Early Learning and Child Care Sector, Children’s and Community Services Division, City of Hamilton, February 25, 2025.

Presented by Dr. Emis Akbari, Executive Director, Atkinson Centre, OISE/University of Toronto, to the Réseau Interagir: provincial francophone early years network, February 25, 2025.

Presented by Dr. Emis Akbari, Executive Director, Atkinson Centre, OISE/University of Toronto, to the Early Learning and Child Care Sector, Children’s and Community Services Division, City of Hamilton, February 25, 2025.

Excerpt: "For the Department of Education, we also propose $1.07 million to fund teaching positions, and $849,000 to bolster the department’s Human Resource capabilities. We will provide $500,000 to support school bussing services, ensuring reliable transportation for students and making it easier for families to get their children to school on time every day —one of the most important things they can do for their future. We are also allocating $3 million to Education and $1.8 million for the Nunavut Arctic College to fund their IT infrastructure, supporting our students and educators to access modern systems that support learning and innovation."