News & Stories: Policy Monitor

Excerpt: "More children and families throughout B.C. will have opportunities to learn, participate and succeed through increased access to programs and resources that help build literacy skills and a love of reading. "Reading helps children build confidence and skills that support them throughout their lives," said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “As a parent, I’ve seen how a book can capture a child’s imagination and keep them coming back for the next one. Access to literacy programs and reading resources helps more children discover the joy of reading, supports lifelong learning and creates opportunities to explore and celebrate B.C. books, authors and stories.”"

Excerpt: "Provincial assessment results for the 2025-26 school year in both the anglophone and francophone education sectors have been compiled and released. “We conduct annual assessments of students across the province to evaluate how the education system is working,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Claire Johnson. “Sharing our results ensures transparency and accountability and helps us pinpoint areas where we are performing well and areas where we need to improve.”"

Excerpt: "Students returning to school this month are being fed, supported and ready to learn thanks to investments in education this year, according to Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Claire Johnson. “Our children and young people are the future of New Brunswick, and we’re making sure they get the opportunities and resources they need to have every chance to learn and succeed,” said Johnson. “By making the necessary investments in the school system, including classroom supports and infrastructure, we’re creating an environment for students to be successful.” The government committed $2.2 billion to education in the 2026-27 budget, an increase of $119 million."

Excerpt: "The Provincial Government is introducing universal screening for the 2026-27 school year to help identify and assist students who may require additional learning support. Universal screening refers to evidence-based assessments used to identify students who require additional support. The screening process will be introduced for kindergarten and Grade 1 students using Acadience Reading and Acadience Reading Français screeners. These assessments are designed to measure early literacy skills and include six measures that assess the foundational skills students need to become better readers. The screening will provide educators with additional information to better understand learning needs earlier in the learning process."

Excerpt: "During the mission, Minister Nicolaides will meet with French education officials to promote teacher and student mobility programs, reinforce existing partnerships between Alberta and French education authorities and explore new opportunities for collaboration. As part of the visit, Alberta’s government will sign a letter of intent with the National Ministry of Education and a memorandum of understanding with La Région Académique Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. These new agreements renew Alberta and France’s long-standing partnership and support new opportunities for students and teachers in both jurisdictions."

Excerpt: "Through the third round of Targeted Enrolment Expansion, Alberta is committing more than $148 million over three years to expand high-demand degree, diploma and certificate programs in areas such as health care, education, engineering, technology, early learning and skilled trades. This investment builds on almost $313 million provided through the first two rounds of Targeted Enrolment Expansion, which will add more than 15,000 funded spaces. The new funding responds to student demand while helping train more nurses, paramedics, teachers, engineers and other skilled professionals needed to support Alberta’s growing economy, public services and communities."

Excerpt: "Through the National School Food Program, the federal government aims to provide meals to up to 400,000 children each year. For the 2026-27 school year, federal funding for provincial and territorial school food programs has doubled from 2024-25 levels to $140 million annually, helping enhance and expand school food programs across Canada. Under the Canada-Alberta National School Food Program Agreement, the Government of Canada's $17.6 million investment for 2026-27 builds on Alberta's annual funding of $20 million for the School Nutrition Program Grant, creating more opportunities for students to access healthy food at school. Together, these investments will help schools provide more meals, improve nutritional quality, expand programming to additional students, and establish new school nutrition programs in schools that do not currently offer them."

Excerpt: "At licensed child-care facilities, screen time will be limited to 30 minutes or less, with none for children aged two and under; it must also have an educational purpose and be age-appropriate, be guided by an educator, and never happen during mealtimes. Research supports limiting screen time for young children, particularly infants and toddlers. Studies link excessive passive screen use with impacts on attention, memory, emotional regulation and language development. The move is intended to give young children the opportunity to learn, play and connect."

Excerpt: "The Ontario government is expanding Student and Family Support Offices to all 72 school boards across the province, giving parents and families a clear, effective way to get help regarding their child’s education and find solutions faster. Starting today, every school board has an office in place as an additional way to help families get answers on broader community concerns, navigate complex issues and receive the information and support they need. This initiative is one more way the government is delivering on its broader plan to make school boards more accountable and focused on student success with a back-to-basics approach that strengthens student achievement and prepares them for rewarding careers."

Excerpt: "The Manitoba government is eliminating child-care fees for 4,100 children from 3,000 eligible low-income families through changes to the Child-Care Subsidy Program, Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt and Ginette Lavack, parliamentary secretary to the federal Minister of Indigenous Services and member of Parliament for St. Boniface-St. Vital, on behalf of federal Secretary of State for Children and Youth Anna Gainey, announced today."

Excerpt: "Families in 22 school districts will soon have access to approximately 1,200 new licensed before- and after-school child care spaces, created by repurposing existing space in schools. “Before and after school can be a hectic time for parents and caregivers. By creating more child care on school grounds, we are giving more families access to convenient, high-quality child care, in places they already know and trust,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care and acting Minister of Infrastructure. “Empowering school districts to repurpose existing child-centred spaces for before- and after-school care is another important piece of a child care system that works for families, kids and communities.”"

Excerpt: "The Ontario government is delivering on its plan to protect Ontario by opening 18,300 new student spaces and 1,130 licensed child care spaces this fall in communities across the province. Through an investment of over $1 billion, 35 new and expanded schools will support growing communities by giving students the modern learning spaces they need to succeed in their studies and prepare for in-demand careers. The government is investing $30 billion over its 10-year plan to build, expand and renew schools across Ontario."