A focus on the positive

For all the entirely justified criticisms of the Cons, one can't deny that they've largely set the agenda so far this Parliament. But the NDP has taken a big step to change that by introducing its promised Early Learning and Child Care Act. The proposed bill isn't yet up at LegisInfo, but from the introduction it should largely mirror the Canada Health Act:

The Early Learning and Child Care Act will be introduced in the House of Commons by Denise Savoie, MP for Victoria, and seconded by NDP Child Care Critic Olivia Chow (Trinity–Spadina). Savoie says that the goal is to protect child care by enshrining it in legislation...

(Said Chow,) “This NDP legislation is based on the principles of quality, universality, accessibility, accountability, educational development and inclusiveness. It is essential to ensure that public money goes to not-for profit centres, not to big box child care corporations which cut corners.

“We must not compromise on quality – parents deserve better, and so do children. And so does our country. Canadians want their tax dollars to serve children, not the executives of some big corporations; to serve the public interest, not private interests.”

The bill will presumably face an uphill battle for now, as it's anybody's guess as to whether the Libs will want to cooperate, and the federal standards might not go over well with the Bloc. But at the very least it's good to know that some positive measures are being brought forward in Parliament...and with enough continuing arrogance by Harper, increased cooperation among the opposition parties may start looking better by the day.