Policy Monitor

Budget 2013 allocates an investment of $31.1 million in 2013-14 for child care in Newfoundland and Labrador, with a focus on continuing the implementation of Caring For Our Future: Provincial Strategy for Quality, Sufficient and Affordable Child Care in Newfoundland and Labrador. Two Backgrounders were provided outlining Key Investments for Child, Youth and Family Services in Budget 2013 and A Sound Plan for K-12 Education.

Excerpt: "“We want to make sure students are receiving the best possible education in Saskatchewan schools,” Education Minister Russ Marchuk said. “That is especially challenging now, with school enrolments increasing for the first time in many years. This budget meets that challenge.”"

The province announced funds to relocate and expand a child care centre in Vita. The funding is part of the government's Family Choices, the province’s five-year early learning and child-care initiative.

Excerpt: "Since launching the Families First Agenda, the BC government has had the opportunity to engage with British Columbians from across the province. Through the website, face-to-face meetings and by using social media, we have received thoughtful comments and practical, useful advice on how to improve our programs, refocus our planning, and better orient government so that our significant yearly investments of taxpayer money make a positive difference in the lives of British Columbians. In the Families First Agenda, we were clear that work to support British Columbia’s children is an essential part of our plan to support families."

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development released the 2011-2012 Annual Report.

Excerpt: "This year’s Service Plan sees the ministry moving forward to improve the quality of programs delivered to children and their families across key service areas: Early Years; Services for Children and Youth with Special Needs; Child and Youth Mental Health; Child Safety, Family Support and Children in Care Services; Adoption Services and Youth Justice Services."

The NL Premier unveiled a ten-year provincial child care strategy.

Excerpt: "The Parti Québécois government unveiled how it will distribute 15,000 new $7-a-day daycare spaces across the province."

Excerpt: "The Ontario Early Years Policy Framework builds on our collective progress and provides a vision for the early years to ensure children, from birth to age six, have the best possible start in life."

Excerpt: "The Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care Program oversees child care (often called daycare) services provided by licensed child care centres and family home providers. It is administered by the Department of Family Services and Labour. We examined the Department’s management of the Program, including its systems and practices for planning and performance measurement, ensuring compliance with child care standards, and providing financial support to eligible child care facilities and families."

The Auditor General of Ontario's 2012 Annual Report included a chapter on the Education of Aboriginal Students.

Excerpt: "The purpose of this memorandum is to provide Consolidated Municipal Service Managers (CMSMs) and District Social Services Administration Boards (DSSABs) with information about Ontario’s new funding formula and funding framework for child care, which will take effect in 2013."