Policy Monitor

The province has developed a multi-year plan - now in its second year, Kids and Learning First is improving the future success of our children through a greater focus on the early years, the basics, and safer, better schools. The plan means more teachers, increased support for special education, and smaller class sizes. Included in the Budget 2013: Establish children’s centres so it is easier for families to access support services for their young kids and help them make a successful transition to elementary school—$1.2 million; Expand the ability of teachers to assess the developmental health of their students in critical areas like physical well-being, emotional maturity, social skills, and language—$70,000.

Excerpt: "The province released its 2013 Budget, and announced in its Budget Address: "We know that high-quality child care is vital to a growing economy and a strong workforce. This year, we will fund new child-care spaces and new child-care centres...which will help parents, especially women, find and keep stable, rewarding jobs. Our government will also partner with parents to support efforts to recruit and retain much-needed child-care workers...The recently announced After School Network brings community-based organizations together to provide more structured after-school activities and programs.""

London’s Early Childhood Educators Labour Market Partnership project proposal has been approved and fully funded by the Ministry of Training Universities and Colleges for $72,789.

The Premier's office announced that families will have better access to the supports they need to ensure their children get a strong start in life thanks to changes and funding announced in this year's budget.

The budget contains more than $230 million in spending reduction initiatives across departments that are designed to offset inflationary pressures. Detailed, in-depth reviews are underway in the departments of Health, Education and Early Childhood Development, Social Development, and Transportation and Infrastructure to identify service delivery efficiencies. Various efficiency measures have been rolled out across all departmental budgets to offset inflationary and service demand pressures and allow for select new investments.

The PEI government released its Budget Address 2013. To ensure the growth in the early childhood initiative continues, the Government will increase its commitment to the Early Years Centres by $250,000, bringing the total investment to approximately $7.7 million next year. An additional $60,000 is being committed to the Best Start Program to expand services to include children up to 36 months of age. The total contribution to the Best Start Program is now in excess of $1.2 million.

During the 2013 Throne Speech it was announced that thegovernment is establishing a Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, to better coordinate and improve the many ways that the province supports infants, young children, and their families in the first years of life. The Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development will outline the immediate action and multi-year goals for Nova Scotia to make the most of the early years, with both prevention and support that will become available as the plan unfolds.

Saskatchewan government released their 2013-1014 Provincial Budget, and continue to make students a priority by investing in the PreK-12 education system.

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."