Policy Resolution 3

3. A National Strategy for a Universal Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Program to Support Canadian Families in Honouring the Rights of Children to Achieve their Full Potential

WHEREAS the 2010 workforce participation rate of mothers was greater than 68% while families accessing licensed Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) was 17%, resulting in long wait lists and the use of alternate, sometimes harmful, childcare arrangements;

WHEREAS the health, wellbeing and academic attainment of children are improved through high quality ECEC which addresses issues of child poverty, equity of opportunity, physical and emotional harm;

WHEREAS an investment in ECEC results in a healthier and more competitive workforce, generating net profits to government through increased tax revenues and lower transfer payments;

BE IT RESOLVED that a Liberal Government institute a Universal ECEC Program with national standards and monitoring mechanisms, by restoring the bilateral agreements of the previous Liberal Government with the provinces and the territories; increasing federal funding for ECEC to 1% of GDP; re-investing the $1,200 per year from the Universal Child Care Benefit into the Canadian Child Tax Benefit and directing the credit to the parent who remains at home;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that tax incentives be arranged to develop workplace ECEC; and funding provided to expand post-secondary ECEC training, thereby ensuring high level quality care through competent program staff;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no child be excluded from ECEC because of disability, access, or the cost of service, and that all children be provided with care that fosters cognitive, linguistic, emotional, social and physical development, linked to other family-oriented community services like hearing and vision care, parental support and mental health.

Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario)