Having passed second reading last fall, the NDP Early Learning and Child Care Act (C-303) will be studied by the Human Resources and Social Development committee beginning this week...What's most interesting in tracking the bill's progress is that the NDP seems to have successfully navigated its way around what I'd assumed to be the greatest obstacle to implementation. While there was no doubt that the Cons would oppose any effort to ensure effectiveness and accountability for federal child care funds, the Bloc has apparently been brought onside thanks to an exemption for Quebec. And while that result is far from perfect in the bill as a whole, it looks likely to ensure that the legislation will find its way through the present Parliament (barring any snap elections before the summer).
Over the next 3 weeks Savoie and Chow will champion the bill before the HRSD committee in hopes that the bill will receive speedy passage through the committee to return to Parliament for third reading.
“In this minority government, the three opposition parties have an opportunity to finally pass a child care act that will shape the future of early learning and development of Canadian children,” said Chow. “It’s long overdue.“
Of course, it'll take another step entirely to replace the Cons with a government willing to provide enough funding to make the bill effective in ensuring the creation of sorely-needed spaces. But it's still a huge plus to see that a framework for such a program appears likely to pass into law before long.
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