ARCHIVED - Human Resources and Social Development Canada

• Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership Program
• Youth Employment Strategy
• Canada Student Loans Program
• Homelessness Partnering Strategy
• National Child Benefit
• Multilateral Framework on Early Learning and Child Care
• Early Childhood Development Agreement

The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership program was initially an $85 million initiative beginning in 2003 to 2009. Budget 2007 expanded and extended the program through an additional investment of $105 million for 2007-2012. The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership is targeted at developing the skills of Canada's Aboriginal workforce, promoting maximum employment for Aboriginal people on major economic developments across Canada and providing lasting benefits for Aboriginal communities, families and individuals.

The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership program is an opportunity driven initiative that is implemented through formalized partnerships between the private sector and Aboriginal communities (and others such as the province and training institutions). The partnerships are responsible for jointly developing and managing comprehensive, multi-year skills development plans that will ensure long-term highly skilled sustainable employment as a result of the projects. The comprehensive Aboriginal training-to-employment plan covers a broad continuum ranging from basic skills, literacy and academic upgrading, through job-specific training and apprenticeships to retention counselling and other on-the-job supports. The plan must have a commitment from the employers to provide at least 50 long-term (sustainable) jobs for Aboriginal people. The partnership must also make a significant financial contribution to the training plan and must develop a governance model that will manage and oversee the project.
http://srv119.services.gc.ca/AHRDSInternet/general/public/asep/asep_e.asp

• Long term sustainable employment for Aboriginal people on major economic developments.

• Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership is a national, centrally managed program. It promotes the maximum employment of Aboriginal people through a collaborative approach.
• The implementation of the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership projects requires the participation of Aboriginal organizations the private sector, provincial governments and others as appropriate and may involve collaboration with regional Service Canada officials. Formalized incorporations are formed to develop and manage training to employment plans to ensure that Aboriginal people are trained for the targeted long-term jobs.
• Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership proponents receive direct support through a multi-year contribution agreement negotiated by Human Resources Social Development Canada based on a human resources development plan. Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership proponents are responsible for interim and final financial and performance reports.

(program and operating)

(program and operating)

(program and operating)

• 1,750 Aboriginal clients served
• 1,000 interventions completed
• 340 clients returned to employment following ASEP intervention

• 1,439 Aboriginal clients served
• 2,395 interventions completed
• 570 clients returned to employment following ASEP intervention

Variance due to delays in project proposals start dates which will occur next fiscal year

n/a

The Youth Employment Strategy supports Canadian youth as they move into the world of work. The Strategy plays a role in developing Canada's workforce by providing young Canadians with access to programs and services to help them gain the skills, knowledge, career information and work experience they need to find and maintain employment and make a successful transition into the labour force.

The Youth Employment Strategy is designed to respond to labour market challenges facing youth, aged 15 to 30. The Strategy has three program streams: Skills Link, Career Focus and Summer Work Experience, which includes the Canada Summer Jobs initiative. Skills Link provides youth-at-risk with opportunities to develop skills they need to find work or return to school. Career Focus helps post-secondary graduates find work in their area of specialization. Summer Work Experience helps secondary and post-secondary graduates acquire career-related skills and financing for their education through summer jobs.

The Government of Canada's support to young Canadians is a shared responsibility and a partnership effort among many departments and organizations. Human Resources and Social Development, along with 11 other federal government departments, work cooperatively with other levels of government, Aboriginal organizations, educational institutions, and private sector, not-for-profit and voluntary sector organizations to deliver Youth Employment Strategy initiatives.
http://www.youth.gc.ca/index.jsp

The shared outcomes of partners for the common key results are:

• Number of youth served
• Number of youth employed / self-employed
• Number of youth returning to school

The Youth Employment Strategy has in place an umbrella Results-based Management and Accountability Framework (RMAF) that represents a commitment among the twelve participating federal departments to undertake ongoing collection of common performance management data to ensure effective overall performance management of the program.

As lead department, Human Resources and Social Development Canada with Service Canada chairs and is responsible for the coordination and management of an Interdepartmental Operations Committee that is responsible for reporting on the implementation of the Youth Employment Strategy. The Evaluation Steering Committee is another Youth Employment Strategy interdepartmental committee. There is also a Communications Sub-Committee reporting to the Operations Committee.

Youth Employment Strategy initiatives are delivered nationally, regionally and locally using a variety of funding instruments, such as contribution agreements and some direct delivery methods. Transfer payments are provided primarily by participating departments through contribution agreements and service delivery agreements in support of participants' remuneration and overhead costs. Youth Protocols for joint planning mechanisms have been signed with Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Manitoba.

• Clients Served: 454
• Employed or Self-Employed: 90% or 408
• Return to School: 10% or 45
• Contribution Agreements: 14
• Funds Leveraged: $10.8M

• Clients Served: 879
• Employed or Self-Employed: 371
• Return to School: 12

• Clients Served: 400-600
• Employed or Self-Employed: 300 - 375
• Return to School:10-30
• Contribution Agreements: 80 - 110
• Funds Leveraged: $2-4 M

• Clients Served: 530
• Employed or Self-Employed: 356
• Return to School: 25
• Contribution Agreements: 80
• Funds Leveraged: $2,102,480

• Clients Served: 14,000-16,000
• Employed or Self-Employed: 5,950- 6,250
• Return to School: 1,250-1,350
• Contribution Agreements: 1,100-1,300
• Funds Leveraged: $65-80M

• Clients Served: 14,763
• Employed or Self-Employed: 6,448
• Return to School: 1,359
• Contribution Agreements: 960
• Funds Leveraged: $31,702,264

• Clients Served: 41,571
• Employed or Self-Employed: n/a
• Return to School: 41,571

• Clients Served: 126
• Employed or Self-Employed: 118
• Return to School: 8

• Clients Served: 3
• Employed or Self-Employed: 3

• Clients Served: 576
• Employed or Self-Employed: 131
• Return to School: 25

• Clients Served: 86
• Employed or Self-Employed: 23
• Return to School: 4

• Clients Served: 1,865
• Return to School: 911

• Clients Served: 156
• Employed or Self-Employed: 133
• Return to School: 8

• Clients Served: 257
• Employed or Self-Employed: 39
• Return to School: 15

• Clients Served: 838

• Clients Served: 394
• Return to School: 394

• Clients Served: 391
• Return to School: 391

• Clients Served: 331

• Clients Served: 79
• Employed or Self-Employed: 63
• Return to School: 16

• Clients Served: 101
• Employed or Self-Employed: 19
• Return to School: 10

• Clients Served: 11,332
• Employed or Self-Employed: 38
• Return to School: 150

• Clients Served: 18,697
• Employed or Self-Employed: n/a
• Return to School: 6,195

• Clients Served: 280
• Return to School: 280

John Atherton,
Director General,
Active Employment Measures
(819) 994-6916
Skills and Employment Branch
john.atherton@hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca

Place du Portage, Phase IV
140 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, Quebec

The purpose of the Canada Student Loans Program is to promote accessibility to post-secondary education for individuals with demonstrated financial need by lowering financial barriers through the provision of loans and grants and to ensure Canadians have an opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills to participate in the workplace and community. Since 1964, the Canada Student Loans Program has assisted millions of students in their pursuit of post-secondary education.

In August of 2000, the Canada Student Loans Program shifted from the risk-shared financing arrangements that had been in place with financial institutions between 1995 and 2000 to a direct student loan financing regime. This meant that the Program had to redesign the delivery mechanism in order to directly finance student loans and two private sector service providers were engaged in 2001 to administer the loans. Effective March 2008, the contract for loan administration was awarded to a single selected service provider.

Information for the public on saving, planning and paying for post-secondary studies and specific information for Canada Student Loans Program clients (including information on learning opportunity selection, financial planning, and how to apply for, maintain and repay student loans) can be accessed at: http://www.canlearn.ca

Maintain the Government's commitment to accessible post-secondary education by:

• lowering financial barriers to post-secondary education through the provision of financial assistance to eligible Canadians
• ensuring a more manageable debt burden for borrowers.

The Government of Canada has entered into Integration Agreements with four provinces (Ontario, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador) in order to create a "one-student-one-loan" service approach. These four integrated provinces accounted for over 60% of the Canada Student Loans Program borrowers.

The administration of the current Program is the product of a co-operative effort between Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Service Canada, Canada Revenue Agency, participating provinces and the Yukon Territory, one Service Provider and Public Works and Government Services Canada. These agents are responsible for conducting one or more activities during the loan lifecycle. Program documents and communications tools are typically prepared with the input and approval of both federal and participating provincial and territorial governments. Quebec, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut do not participate in the Canada Student Loans Program. These jurisdictions receive an alternative payment to assist in the cost of delivering a similar student financial assistance program.

Effective management of the Program and of relations with third-party agents is the primary responsibility of the Canada Student Loans Program. Program activities include, for example, client relations for escalated cases and comptrollership.

The application and needs assessment for the Program is delivered by provincial student assistance offices, which also administer provincial aid. The participating provinces and the Yukon Territory:

• determine individual eligibility for loans and Canada Access Grants based on federal criteria;
• assess students' financial needs based on federal criteria;
• issue loan certificates;
• administer and deliver Canada Study Grants; and
• designate educational institutions that students may attend with Canada Student Loans Program assistance.

While the Canada Student Loans Program provides the guidance and direction on how the Program is to be delivered, the Service Provider assumes responsibility for managing the loans once the loan agreement is signed and submitted for processing. Service Provider's responsibilities include:

• verifying loan agreements;
• managing the in-study interest-free period;
• negotiating and handling loan repayment; and
• debt management, including counselling borrowers on debt management options, receiving and assessing applications, and managing the loans.

Public Works and Government Services Canada is responsible for disbursing loans from files previously approved by Canada Student Loan Program to the borrowers and to Educational Institutions, for any funds directed to pay for tuition.

Canada Revenue Agency Non-Tax Collection Services is the agent responsible for debt collection. Delinquent guaranteed and risk-shared loans become debts to the Crown when the Government of Canada buys back the debt from financial institutions. Canada Revenue Agency Non-Tax Collection Directorate becomes responsible for directly financed loans after the Service Provider has attempted collection of a set period of time and the borrower has either not made payments on their loan or is unwilling to repay. These activities may also be conducted by private collection agencies under contract to Canada Revenue Agency. These private collection agencies must abide by Canada Revenue Agency collection guidelines when carrying out the recovery of Crown debts.

Loans Disbursed under the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act $2.0B

• Estimated number of Canadians to benefit from the Canada Student Loans Program (includes loans, grants and non-repayable in-study interest subsidies): 455,000 ^a
• Estimated number of Canadians to benefit from Canada Study Grants and Canada Access Grants: 80,000 ^b

• Actual number of Canadians to benefit from the Canada Student Loans Program (includes loans, grants and non-repayable in-study interest subsidies): 460,000
• Actual number of Canadians to benefit from Canada Study Grants and Canada Access Grants: 93,277

The bulk of the variance ($218.2M) is due to higher then expected Interest Revenues on Direct Loan ($107.1M), Bad Debt Expense adjustment ($48.8M) due to a combinations of change in the methodology of calculating the expense by the Office of the Chief Actuary and accelerated repayment, as well as a major decrease in the alternative payments ($58.7M) resulting from a decrease in defaulted loans. Moreover, other variances, for a total of ($3.6M) are the combination of minor variances related to other components of the program.

Barbara Glover
Director General
Canada Student Loans Program
(819) 994-2377

David MacDonald
Assistant Deputy Minister
Learning
(613) 957-7444

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy (which replaced the National Homelessness Initiative) makes strategic investments in community priorities and includes a planning process that encourages cooperation between governments, agencies and community-based organizations to find local solutions for homeless people and those at-risk. The Homelessness Partnering Strategy is designed to provide supports to 61 designated communities and some small, rural, northern and Aboriginal communities to develop community-based measures that assist homeless individuals and families move toward self-sufficiency.

Under the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative is more flexible to allow land exchanges. Community groups can exchange, under certain conditions, a federal property received under the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative for another similar, and more suitable, property. In addition, the control period has been extended to 15 years (from five under the National Homelessness Initiative) to ensure long-term, lasting benefits to the recipients and the communities. Both enhancements were contained in the new Terms and Conditions for the program.

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy continued to:

• help communities build on their successes and focus on interventions to help prevent and break the cycle of homelessness;
• achieve results for Canadians by focusing on attaining self-sufficiency and not just temporary measures;
• require that federal money be targeted more at the development of transitional and supportive housing and at improving programs that help homeless people become self-sufficient such as skills training, health and substance abuse treatment;
• enhance the partnership approach with provinces and territories, communities and the private and voluntary sectors to strengthen capacity and build sustainability;
• carry out research to foster a better understanding of homelessness as well as collect and disseminate best practices to assist in designing the most effective responses.

For more information, please visit the Homelessness Partnering Strategy website:

Background

In December 1999, the Government of Canada launched the National Homelessness Initiative, a three-year initiative with a budget allocation of $753 million to develop new programs and to enhance existing programs to address the issue of homelessness in Canada. In February 2003, the Government extended the National Homelessness Initiative for an additional three years with a budget allocation of $405 million. In November 2005, the Government announced a one-year extension (2006-2007) of the National Homelessness Initiative with a budget allocation of $134.8 million to sustain communities through investments in successful homelessness initiatives. On December 19, 2006, the Government announced the new Homelessness Partnering Strategy which took effect on April 1, 2007 and continues until March 31, 2009 with a budget allocation of $269.6 million.

Enhanced income security, access to opportunities and well-being for individuals, families and communities.

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy community-based stream - the Homelessness Partnership Initiative - is delivered via two models:

• community entity model: Under this model, the Community Advisory Board recommends projects to the community entity (an incorporated organization) which is the decision-making body responsible for approving project proposals and determining the eligibility of projects. Human Resources Social Development Canada is responsible for managing the contribution agreement and all related activities. The community, in consultation with Service Canada, has designated responsibility for program delivery to a specific local organization; and
• shared delivery model: Under this model, the Community Advisory Body reviews project proposals and makes recommendations to HRSDC which manages the contribution agreement and all related activities. Both Service Canada and the community work in partnership to support funding priorities, resulting in a joint selection and decision-making process. The Minister approves the project proposals.

In Quebec, unlike other provinces and territories, the Homelessness Partnership Initiative is delivered under a formal Canada-Quebec agreement, in collaboration with the Province of Quebec. Under this model, the Québec Agences de la santé et des services sociaux are responsible for the community planning process as well as the selection and recommendation of projects. These "Agences" are the delivery arm of the Quebec Health and Social Services Department, much like Service Canada is to HRSDC. A Joint Management Committee, composed of federal and provincial representatives, reviews each project and recommends successful projects for approval by the Government of Canada.

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy recognizes that the prevention and reduction of homelessness requires collaboration among all levels of government, particularly the federal and provincial and territorial governments. Provinces and territories will be invited to enter into bilateral agreements with the federal government. The Canada-Quebec Agreement serves as a model that will be adapted for other jurisdictions. Partnering agreements will offer provinces and territories the opportunity to participate in community planning and priority-setting at the outset. Agreements will support the alignment of federal, provincial and territorial investments to enhance linkages between social services and housing and address the operational sustainability of community projects. This partnering approach will ensure that all of the necessary tools and supports are in place for homeless people to secure housing and supports that effectively meet their needs and for those at-risk of homelessness to attain housing stability.

The Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative is a Homelessness Partnering Strategy program co-managed by Public Works and Government Services Canada and Human Resources and Social Development Canada, with advice and support from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

• Homelessness Partnership Initiative communities will be required to demonstrate cost matching with other partners.
• Increased availability and access, for homeless people, to a range of services and facilities along the continuum (i.e., emergency, transitional and supportive housing).

• The ratio of total HPI funding investments versus funding by types of partners for each province and territory has not only continued but increased for the 2007-2008 fiscal year.
• Under the HPI, investments in transitional, supportive and longer-term housing facilities and services continued.

• Increased knowledge (e.g., best practices, research findings) exchanged among community service providers, researchers, and all levels of government working on issues of homelessness

• Hosted the HPS National Forum and delivered six national telephone forums.
• A Call for Proposals resulted in 28 Homelessness Knowledge Development Program projects being approved in principle.
• Interdepartmental knowledge and research exchange between HPS and other HRSDC research was enhanced through participating in four HRSDC Policy Research Coordination Groups.

• Enhanced capacity of communities to provide facilities to homeless individuals and families

• Completed the transfer of 8 properties initiated in previous years.

Jim Young
Director of Corporate Affairs and Accountability
Homelessness Partnering Secretariat
Telephone: (819) 956-6857

Bayla Kolk
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister
Income Security and Social Development Branch

The National Child Benefit¹ contributes to a larger federal, provincial and territorial strategy, the National Children's Agenda, designed to help Canadian children.

Through the National Child Benefit, the Government of Canada is working with provincial and territorial governments to provide income support, as well as benefits and services, for low-income families with children. The initiative also includes a First Nations component.

The National Child Benefit initiative has three goals:

• Help prevent and reduce the depth of child poverty;
• Promote attachment to the labour market by ensuring that families will always be better off as a result of working; and
• Reduce overlap and duplication by harmonizing program objectives and benefits and simplifying administration.
• Annual National Child Benefit Progress Reports include information on the level of spending by all jurisdictions. There is a data collection process to which all participating jurisdictions contribute in order to present comparable information on National Child Benefit initiatives. The data submitted by each jurisdiction is reviewed jointly to ensure consistency in reporting. To obtain the most recent Progress Report or for further information, please visit the federal, provincial and territorial National Child Benefit website: http:\\www.nationalchildbenefit.ca.

  Federal Spending:

  The Government of Canada contributes to the National Child Benefit initiative through a supplement to its Canada Child Tax Benefit. In addition to the base benefit of the Canada Child Tax Benefit, which is targeted to both low- and middle-income families, the National Child Benefit Supplement provides extra income support to low-income families with children. Federal spending on the Canada Child Tax Benefit is tracked by the Canada Revenue Agency, which is responsible for the delivery of the National Child Benefit Supplement.

  The federal government provided $3.5 billion through the National Child Benefit Supplement in 2006-2007. By 2007-2008, total annual federal support delivered through the Canada Child Tax Benefit system, including the National Child Benefit Supplement, is projected to reach $9.5 billion, including a projected $3.7 billion through the National Child Benefit Supplement.

  Provincial and territorial and First Nations Spending:

  Under the National Child Benefit, provinces, territories and First Nations provide benefits and services that further the goals of the initiative. The National Child Benefit Progress Report: 2006, reports that in 2005-2006, provinces, territories, and First Nations spent $873.9 million in programs and services in key areas such as child/day care initiatives, child benefits and earned income supplements, early childhood services and children-at-risk services, supplementary health benefits, and youth initiatives. This includes First Nations reinvestments in programs and services which are estimated to be $58.0 million in 2005-2006.

  Indicators and Impacts:

• The National Child Benefit Progress Report: 2006 includes an analysis of both societal level indicators, which measure areas such as low income and labour force attachment and do not infer that any changes are the result of the initiative, and direct outcome indicators, which measure only those changes that are directly attributed to the National Child Benefit. With respect to societal level indicators, the report shows that the proportion of families with children living in low income has declined significantly since the mid-1900s, decreasing from 17.6 percent in 1996 to 11.6 percent in 2004, based on Statistics Canada's post-tax low-income cutoffs. During this period, the number of children living in low income decreased from 1,304,000 in 1996 to 877,300 in 2004, a decrease of approximately 426,700 children. Further, the report estimates that in 2004, as a direct result of the National Child Benefit:
• 125,000 children in 59,000 families were prevented from living in low income, a reduction of 12.1 percent. This means that in 2004, there were 12.1 percent fewer families with children living in low income than there would have been without the National Child Benefit.
  - These families saw their average disposable income increase by an estimated $2,400, or 9.3 percent.
• For those families with children who remained in low income, the National Child Benefit improved their disposable income by an average of $1,600 (9.1 percent). This means that the low-income gap (the additional amount of income needed by low-income families to reach the low-income line) was reduced by 18.5 percent in 2004.

In addition, in June 2005, federal, provincial and territorial governments released a synthesis report of a comprehensive evaluation of the first three years of the National Child Benefit initiative (1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01). The evaluation compiled evidence from a number of studies and showed that the National Child Benefit is meeting its goals. In addition, a process to launch further evaluation has begun.

For a complete discussion of indicators, please see Chapters 5 and 6 of the National Child Benefit Progress Report: 2006. For a discussion of evaluation results, please see the Evaluation of the National Child Benefit Initiative: Synthesis Report. These reports are available free of charge on the National Child Benefit website, at: http:\\www.nationalchildbenefit.ca

The National Child Benefit Governance and Accountability Framework outlines the key characteristics of the federal, provincial and territorial partnership: cooperation, openness, flexibility, evolution and accountability. As a co-operative effort among governments, the National Child Benefit combines the strengths of a national program with the flexibility of provincial and territorial initiatives designed to meet the specific needs and conditions within each jurisdiction.

With respect to accountability, under the Governance and Accountability Framework, federal, provincial and territorial Ministers Responsible for Social Services have committed to sharing data on reinvestment initiatives and reviewing results and outcomes achieved in order to identify best practices. Federal, provincial and territorial governments have also agreed to report annually to the public with a primary focus on performance of the initiative. To date, six annual progress reports have been published, as well as a synthesis report on a comprehensive evaluation of the first three years of the initiative.

The Federal Role:

Under the National Child Benefit, the Government of Canada provides additional income support to low-income families with children via the National Child Benefit Supplement component of the Canada Child Tax Benefit. Canada Revenue Agency delivers these benefits to families.

Human Resources and Social Development Canada is responsible for policy development with respect to the National Child Benefit initiative, and the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development represents the Government of Canada in this federal/provincial/territorial initiative.

The Canada Child Tax Benefit (including the National Child Benefit Supplement) is a tax measure, and is administered by Canada Revenue Agency.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada have roles in reinvestments and investments.

The Provincial and Territorial Role:

Under the National Child Benefit, provinces, territories and First Nations provide benefits and services that further the goals of the initiative. The National Child Benefit is designed so that provinces, territories and First Nations have the flexibility to develop and deliver programs and services that best meet the needs and priorities of their communities. As part of this flexibility, provinces and territories may adjust social assistance or child benefit payments by the full or partial amount of the National Child Benefit Supplement. This approach has resulted in families on social assistance being no worse off in terms of their level of benefits, while providing additional funds for new or enhanced provincial and territorial programs benefiting low-income families with children.

It is important to note that, as the National Child Benefit initiative has matured, the majority of provinces and territories no longer recover increases to the National Child Benefit Supplement. This means that the vast majority of children living in low-income families, including those on social assistance, are currently receiving some or all of the National Child Benefit Supplement.

Under the National Reinvestment Framework, provincial and territorial governments, along with First Nations, have committed to re-allocating available social assistance funds into benefits and services for children in low-income families that further the goals of the initiative. Jurisdictions have focused reinvestments primarily in five key areas:

• Child Benefits and Earned Income Supplements;
• Child Care;
• Early Childhood Services and Children-at-Risk Services;
• Supplementary Health Benefits;
• Youth Initiatives, and
• Other Benefits and Services.

First Nations Role:

The federal government is responsible for ensuring programs for First Nations children on reserve are comparable to those available to other Canadian children. Under the National Child Benefit, First Nations have the flexibility to reinvest savings from adjustments to social assistance into programs and services tailored to meet the needs and priorities of individual communities. Some 500 First Nations participate in the National Child Benefit and implement their own programs.

In March 2003, federal, provincial and territorial Ministers Responsible for Social Services, reached agreement on a framework for improving access to affordable, quality, provincially and territorially regulated early learning and child care programs and services. Under the Multilateral Framework, the Government of Canada is providing $1.05 billion over five years through the Canada Social Transfer to support provincial and territorial government investments in early learning and child care. This initiative complements the September 2000 Early Childhood Development Agreement.

The objective of this initiative is to further promote early childhood development and support the participation of parents in employment or training by improving access to affordable, quality early learning and child care programs and services.

Early learning and child care programs and services funded through this initiative will primarily provide direct care and early learning for children in settings such as child care centres, family child care homes, preschools, and nursery schools. Types of investments can include capital and operating funding, fee subsidies, wage enhancements, training, professional development and support, quality assurance, and parent information and referral. Programs and services that are part of the formal school system are not included in this initiative.

Governments also committed to transparent public reporting that will give Canadians a clear idea of the progress being made in improving access to affordable, quality early learning and child care programs and services, beginning with a baseline report in November 2003.

Information about the initiative, including the text of the Multilateral Framework on Early Learning and Child Care, is available on the federal, provincial and territorial Web portal on early childhood development and early learning and child care at http://www.ecd-elcc.ca

The objectives of the initiative, as outlined in the Multilateral Framework on Early Learning and Child Care are:

• to promote early childhood development; and
• to support the participation of parents in employment or training by improving access to affordable, quality early learning and child care programs and services.

The Multilateral Framework for Early Learning and Child Care recognizes that provinces and territories have the primary responsibility for early learning and child care programs and services.

Implementation of the commitments outlined in the Multilateral Framework has been tasked to a Working Group comprised of officials from all jurisdictions (including Québec, which participates as an observer). This Working Group reports to Deputy Ministers Responsible for Social Services, and is jointly chaired by Human Resources and Social Development Canada and Saskatchewan.

All governments agreed that investments in early learning and child care should be incremental, predictable and sustainable over the long term. All governments committed to make incremental investments in regulated early learning and child care.

$350M via the Canada Social Transfer

Provincial and territorial governments have agreed to invest the funding provided in regulated early learning and child care programs for children under the age of six. Early learning and child care programs and services funded through this initiative will primarily provide direct care and early learning for children in settings such as child care centres, family child care homes, preschools, and nursery schools. Investments can include capital and operating funding, fee subsidies, wage enhancements, training, professional development and support, quality assurance, and parent information and referral. Programs and services that are part of the formal school system are not included in this initiative.

Governments also committed to transparent public reporting that will give Canadians a clear idea of the progress being made in improving access to affordable, quality early learning and child care programs and services, beginning with a baseline report in November 2003 and annual reporting in November 2004.

The Government of Quebec supports the general principles expressed in the Early Learning and Child Care Initiative but did not participate in developing the Initiative because it wants to retain sole responsibility for social matters. However, it receives its share of funding granted by the Government of Canada and makes significant investments in programs and services that benefit families and children.

Lynne Westlake
Acting Director
Children's Policy
613-957-4610

Shawn Tupper
Director General
Social Policy Development
613-957-4707

In September 2000, First Ministers reached agreement on the federal, provincial and territorial Early Childhood Development Agreement, to improve and expand early childhood development supports for young children (prenatal to age 6) and for their parents.

The Government of Quebec supports the general principles expressed in the Early Childhood Development Initiative but did not participate in developing the Initiative because it wants to retain sole responsibility for social matters. However, it receives its share of funding granted by the Government of Canada and makes significant investments in programs and services that benefit families and children.

Information about the Agreement, including the text of the First Ministers' communiqué on Early Childhood Development, is available on the federal, provincial and territorial web portal on early childhood development and early learning and child care at http:\\www.ecd-elcc.ca.

The objectives of the initiative, as outlined in the Early Childhood Development Agreement are:

• to promote early childhood development so that, to their fullest potential, children will be physically and emotionally healthy, safe and secure, ready to learn, and socially engaged and responsible; and
• to help children reach their potential and to help families support their children within strong communities.

In the Early Childhood Development Agreement, First Ministers recognized that provinces and territories have the primary responsibility for early childhood development programs and services.

Federal, provincial and territorial Ministers Responsible for Social Services and Ministers of Health are responsible for implementation of the commitments in the Agreement. Implementation has been tasked to a Working Group comprised of officials from all jurisdictions (including Quebec, which participates as an observer). The Working Group reports to Deputy Ministers Responsible for Social Services. The Working Group is jointly chaired by Human Resources Social Development Canada and Saskatchewan.

$500M via the Canada Social Transfer

Provincial and territorial governments are investing the funds transferred to them by the Government of Canada in any or all of the following four areas of action outlined in the Early Childhood Development Agreement:

• promoting healthy pregnancy, birth and infancy;
• improving parenting and family supports;
• strengthening early childhood development, learning and care, and;
• strengthening community supports.

All participating federal, provincial and territorial governments have committed to three reporting requirements:

• Each government released a first report on Early Childhood Development programs and expenditures for the 2000-2001 fiscal year, providing a baseline against which new investments can be tracked.
• In fall 2002, governments began annual reporting, using a shared framework with comparable program indicators, to track progress in improving and expanding early childhood development programs and services within the four areas for action.
• In fall 2002, governments began regular reporting on children's well-being, using a common set of outcome indicators.

Within the Government of Canada, responsibility for implementation of the commitments outlined in the Early Childhood Development Agreement is shared jointly between Human Resources and Social Development Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Lynne Westlake,
Acting Director
Children's Policy
613-957-4610

Shawn Tupper,
DG
Social Policy Development
613-957-4707