ADVOCACY UPDATE - AUGUST 20, 2008
Dear Child Care Colleagues:
One information item and a riddle for you today:
1. CCAAC 2008 Annual General Meeting
September 20 2008 at 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Public Service Alliance of Canada
233 Gilmour Street (between Metcalf and Elgin)
Main floor boardroom.
For those who aren’t able to attend, please watch for our 2008 Annual Report, which will be circulated at the same time.
2. Child Care Riddle
Question: When is $5.6 billion really only $600 million?
Answer: When the federal government is talking about its annual funding for early learning and child care in Canada.
In his July 11 2008 letter to the Toronto Star Federal Minister Solberg says his government is spending $5.6 billion annually, “the largest investment in early learning and child care in history.” But, it turns out that most of this budget – about 80% - goes directly to parents to spend on anything they please.
That leaves $1.1 billion in transfers to provinces. Although Minister Solberg states that these transfers are for child care, in fact $500 million goes to various programs for young children and their families – there is no requirement for provinces to spend these funds on child care. Only $600 million – about 10% of $5.6 billion - is transferred to provinces and actually dedicated to early learning and child care. For more details, see “Child Care Services in Canada: One Recommendation with Multiple Benefits”, the CCAAC’s 2008 submission to the federal pre-budget consultation.
All governments are supposed to provide clear, annual public reports that show how this $600 million in federal transfers is improving access to quality, affordable child care services. However, most public reports are late and few are clear. Let your elected representatives know that effective public reporting is an important part of public accountability.
Regards,
Jody Dallaire, Board Chair