The well-being of children and families in Yukon is the focus of a new plan issued today by Minister of Health and Social Services Doug Graham. On the Path Together: Wellness Plan for Yukon’s Children and Families provides evidence-based strategies for improving the health and well-being of children and youth that will be used to help plan and set priorities and provide practical information on healthy living. The plan sets out three pathways to improve wellness: Giving kids a good start in life (0-5 years); Raising kids who flourish (6–19 years); Healthy living for all.
In addition to funding for full-day Kindergarten, at a cost of $30.6 million over three years, Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook includes $4.8 million for the continuation of early learning initiatives aimed specifically at infants and toddlers.
Excerpt: "The early years centres are located in or near schools, which make them accessible, convenient and familiar places for families in their communities. Each centre is tailored to meet the needs of its community by partnering with local organizations to offer programs and services such as early learning programs for four-year-olds, early intervention, before- and after-school programs, regulated child care, and parent education."
Finance and Treasury Board Minister Diana Whalen tabled the 2014-15 provincial budget April 3, clearing the way for private sector growth and reinvestment in education and health care.
Excerpt: "$5.5 million to boost child-care spaces and improve wages. Budget 2014 is the Manitoba government’s plan to create good jobs and grow Manitoba’s economy – while protecting the frontlines of services that families count on. A key part of this budget is a $5.5 billion Five-Year Plan that will build our core infrastructure like highways, bridges, flood protection and municipal infrastructure. These investments will stimulate our economy, keep businesses growing and create job and training opportunities for families."
Excerpt: "Investment in to the education of our children begins even before they reach kindergarten. This budget provides $20.4 million–an increase of more than 6 percent over last year–to support 15 new pre-K programs. This will bring the total number of pre-K programs across Saskatchewan to 316. The number of childcare spaces in Saskatchewan is also expanding. The 2014-15 Budget provides $52.7 million, an increase of 4.3 percent compared to last year, to expand the number of childcare spaces by 500."
The Provincial Government released its 2014 Budget, and it remains committed to enhancing the quality, accessibility, and affordability of regulated child care services for families with young children throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Budget 2014 allocates an additional $11.4 million for child care services, bringing the province’s total child care budget to approximately $42.5 million. This funding will focus on continuing to implement the 10-year child care strategy, Caring For Our Future: Provincial Strategy for Quality, Sufficient and Affordable Child Care in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Investing in our children and our schools is one of our government’s top priorities. With the challenging financial situation that we face, we must ensure that we get maximum value from every dollar we invest in our learning system. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s (EECD) budget is increasing by one per cent in 2014-2015.
Budget 2014 is the Manitoba government’s plan to create good jobs and grow Manitoba’s economy – while protecting the frontlines of services that families count on.
To restore fiscal balance in 2015-2016-Program spending growth is being held at 2% in 2014-2015 and the following two years. Our actions: Improve the quality and efficiency of public services: implement patient-based funding in the health network; continue to seek efforts from public bodies to manage their spending; reassess the organizational efficiency and delivery methods of public services over five years. Ensure the funding of public services: gradually raise parents’ contribution to daycare services; review the sharing of costs of university education for students from outside Québec. Continue to fight corruption and tax evasion.
Excerpt: "Families in Winnipeg, St. Andrews and Oak Lake will have greater access to some of the best, most affordable licensed child care in Canada with the creation of more than 250 new child-care spaces at four new centres and one existing site, Education and Advanced Learning Minister James Allum announced today."
In Budget 2010 the Government committed to work with First Nations to develop options, including new legislation, to improve the governance framework and clarify accountability for First Nations elementary and secondary education. In 2011, the Government and the Assembly of First Nations launched a National Panel, which made a number of recommendations for reforming First Nations education in its February 2012 report. In response to the Panel’s report, the Government is working with partners to introduce a First Nation Education Act and have it in place for September 2014. The purpose of this legislation is to establish the structures and standards to support strong and accountable education systems on reserve. This will set the stage for more positive education outcomes for First Nations children and youth. The Government will also work to explore mechanisms to ensure stable, predictable and sustainable funding for First Nations elementary and secondary education.
