Government of Canada launches call for nominations for the Expert Panel on Early Learning and Child Care
News release
November 19, 2018 Gatineau, Quebec Employment and Social Development Canada
For Canadian families, high-quality, affordable child care is more than a convenience—it's a necessity. The Government of Canada is ensuring that every child gets the best possible start in life. To support the development and implementation of the Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework and the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework, the Government of Canada is creating the Expert Panel on Early Learning and Child Care.
The Honourable Jean‑Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development launched today a call for nominations for the creation of an expert panel on early learning and child care. The Expert Panel will act as a sounding board and a forum for in-depth discussion on issues related to early learning and child care information, data and research. Specifically, the panel's role will be to provide advice and recommendations in developing an early learning and child care data and research strategy that could include:
- identifying priority action areas;
- identifying innovative approaches; and
- aligning the objectives of the work with other Government priorities.
The Government of Canada is looking for leaders, practitioners and experts in early learning and child care from areas such as academia, service delivery and businesses. The Government is also looking for people who have experience in early learning and child care, such as parents and grandparents, in addition to people with First Nations, Métis and Inuit perspectives.
Interested individuals must apply online by December 14, 2018.
Appointments will be part of an open, transparent and merit-based selection process that strives for gender parity and reflects Canada's diversity.
"We need to work together with our partners, and with all Canadians, to leverage existing resources and find new innovative approaches to filling data and research gaps in early learning and child care. We want to hear about your experiences as every child deserves to get the best possible start in life."
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
Quick facts
The call for nominations is open for four weeks, from November 19, 2018, until December 14, 2018.
The Panel is expected to be comprised of up to 10 members, with a mandate that would last 24 months.
To better support Canadian families, especially those in need, budgets 2016 and 2017 announced an investment of $7.5 billion over 11 years, starting in 2017–18, to support and create more high-quality, affordable child care across the country. Of this investment:
- up to $1.7 billion over 10 years, starting in 2018–19, will support the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework, and will strengthen early learning and child care programs and services for Indigenous children and families;
- $95 million will go towards closing data gaps to better understand child care challenges and needs and track progress; and
- $100 million will go towards early learning and child care innovation.
