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Presented by Dr. Emis Akbari, Executive Director, Atkinson Centre, ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½/²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½, to the Early Learning and Child Care Sector, Children’s and Community Services Division, City of Hamilton, February 25, 2025.

Presented by Dr. Emis Akbari, Executive Director, Atkinson Centre, ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½/²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½, to the Réseau Interagir: provincial francophone early years network, February 25, 2025.

Presented by Dr. Emis Akbari, Executive Director, Atkinson Centre, ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½/²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½, to the Early Learning and Child Care Sector, Children’s and Community Services Division, City of Hamilton, February 25, 2025.

Excerpt: "The Department of Education’s Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) division is increasing the ELCC Wage Scale Program rates by 7.5% starting April 1, 2025 to support recruitment and retention of staff in licensed child care centres. Through federal funding, the ELCC Wage Scale Program provides licensed child care centres serving children ages 0-6 years, the opportunity to ensure fair and competitive wages for their staff. The wage scale applies to four categories of staff: Management; Early Childhood Educators; Program Support; Centre Support."

Excerpt: "Bill 66 - Early Learning and Child Care Act (Bill 66), was introduced on February 24, 2025, which proposes to replace the Child Day Care Act inherited when Nunavut became a territory. The proposed legislation ensures that Nunavut’s early learning and child care programs are accessible, affordable, inclusive, and rooted in Inuit culture, values and language. This represents a significant step forward in prioritizing the well-being and education of children in Nunavut. Bill 66 also introduces critical updates, including: Improved licensing requirements and duties for operators to enhance safety and accountability; Creation of the Early Learning and Child Care Council, a body to provide guidance and oversight; Expanded accessibility, affordability, and inclusivity for families across the territory; Enhanced support for the well-being of children, caregivers, and educators."

Excerpt: "For the Department of Education, we also propose $1.07 million to fund teaching positions, and $849,000 to bolster the department’s Human Resource capabilities. We will provide $500,000 to support school bussing services, ensuring reliable transportation for students and making it easier for families to get their children to school on time every day —one of the most important things they can do for their future. We are also allocating $3 million to Education and $1.8 million for the Nunavut Arctic College to fund their IT infrastructure, supporting our students and educators to access modern systems that support learning and innovation."

Excerpt: "It will enhance school breakfast programming for all 373 schools across the province, which is currently serving approximately 52,000 kids this school year. With this agreement, families in Nova Scotia with two children in school can save $800 in grocery bills a year on average. As part of this agreement, the Government of Canada will invest approximately $12.4 million over the next three years to feed more kids. For the 2024-25 school year, that will include offering a more robust and consistent breakfast program in schools across the province, purchasing new kitchen equipment, hiring additional program coordinators, and developing new recipes for the launch of the next phase of the pay-what-you-can lunch program. These enhancements are particularly significant for rural and remote communities in Nova Scotia and will provide children most affected by food insecurity with access to more consistent and nutritious meals at school."

Excerpt: "The ministry will be extending funding for the school districts included in the child care on school grounds pilots (Seamless Day Kindergarten, School Age Child Care, Just B4 licensed preschool, and the Integration Inquiry Project) to ensure the existing child care spaces families depend on are operational next school year."

e-News

Excerpt: "The Welcoming a Child Hub offers a personalized checklist and highlights key benefits from the government. This ensures parents can plan Employment Insurance leave, the Canada Child Benefit, Dental Care and may other benefits available to them through the Government of Canada. It also shares relatable stories inspired by real experiences. Similar to the recently launched Retirement Hub and the What to Do When Someone Dies Hub, this initiative demonstrates the Government’s commitment to improving services and supporting Canadians through major life events and unique challenges."

Excerpt: "These increases are partially offset by a $67.5 million decrease in the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program due to construction delays, a $47.8 million decrease related to the Canada-Nova Scotia Early Learning and Child Care Agreement due to timing delays associated with various action plan initiatives, and a $12.3 million decrease in municipal contributions for correctional facilities and public housing related to the service exchange agreement"