FIRST MINISTERS' MEETING COMMUNIQUÉ
Introduction First Ministers, with the exception of the Premier of Quebec1, agree on the importance of supporting families and communities in their efforts to ensure the best possible future for their children. Every child should be valued and have the opportunities to develop his or her unique physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and creative potential. First Ministers affirm their commitment to the well-being of children by setting out their vision of early childhood development as an investment in the future of Canada. Canada's future social vitality and economic prosperity depend on the opportunities that are provided to children today. First Ministers recognize that parents and families play the
primary role in supporting and nurturing children. Communities, businesses,
non-profit
The early years of life are critical in the development and future well-being of the child, establishing the foundation for competence and coping skills that will affect learning, behaviour and health. Children thrive within families and communities that can meet their physical and developmental needs and can provide security, nurturing, respect and love. New evidence has shown that development from the prenatal period to age six is rapid and dramatic and shapes long-term outcomes. Intervening early to promote child development during this critical
period can have long-term benefits that can extend throughout children's
lives.
First Ministers therefore agree to work together so that young
children can fulfill their potential to be healthy, safe and secure, ready
to learn, and
In support of this common goal, governments will improve and expand early childhood development programs and services over time. Governments will work with families and communities to help meet the needs of young children and their families. Governments will report regularly on their progress and will continue to build knowledge and disseminate information to parents, communities and service providers to help them to give children the best possible start in life. Objectives Focussing on children and their families, from the prenatal period to age six, the objectives of this early childhood development initiative are:
To meet the objectives set out above, First Ministers agree on
four key areas for action. Governments' efforts within this framework will
focus on any or all of these areas. This will build on the priority
that governments have placed on early childhood development and the investments
that governments have already made.
Prenatal, birth and infancy experiences have a profound effect on the health and well-being of infants and young children, and contribute to continuing good health. This priority addresses needs related to the prenatal, birth and infancy periods and includes supports for pregnant women, new parents, infants and care providers. Possible examples are prenatal programs and information, and infant screening programs. Parents and families have the primary responsibility for the care of their children. This priority addresses the needs related to positive parenting and includes supports for parents and caregivers. Possible examples are family resource centres, parent information, and home visiting Communities make key contributions to the well-being of children through formal and informal networks. This priority includes supports to strengthen community capacity to meet the needs of children and families from a healthy community perspective. Possible examples include supports for community-based planning and service integration.
Governments will work together in full respect of each other's responsibilities, recognizing that provinces and territories have the primary responsibility for early childhood development programs and services. Each government will determine its priorities within this framework. Governments will work with the Aboriginal peoples of Canada to find practical solutions to address the developmental needs of Aboriginal children. Governments will ensure effective mechanisms for Canadians to participate in developing early childhood development priorities and reviewing outcomes. Funding First Ministers agree that ensuring effective early childhood development is a long-term commitment to our children's future. First Ministers agree that investments for early childhood development should be incremental, predictable and sustained over the long term. First Ministers are committed to helping all sectors of society support children in their early years and to making incremental investments in this area. First Ministers recognize that this initiative builds on the significant provincial/territorial investments already made in early childhood development and agree on the need to ensure flexibility to address local needs and priorities. This initiative also complements existing important federal investments for children and families. Public Reporting First Ministers believe in the importance of being accountable to Canadians for the early childhood development programs and services that they deliver. Clear public reporting will enhance accountability and will allow the public to track progress in improving the well-being of Canada's young children. Regular measuring of, and reporting on, early childhood development provides governments and others with a powerful tool to inform policy-making and to ensure that actions are as focussed and effective as possible. Therefore, First Ministers commit their governments to:
The purpose of performance measurement is for all governments to be accountable to their publics, not to each other. The amount of federal funding provided to any jurisdiction will not depend on achieving a given level of performance. Knowledge, Information and Effective Practices Research, knowledge and information are the foundations of evidence-based decision-making and are critical to informed policy development. Dissemination of information and sharing of effective practices can create a more knowledgeable public on issues of child development and can promote the enhancement of early childhood development programs and services. Governments agree to work together, where appropriate, on research and knowledge related to early childhood development, share information on effective practices that improve child outcomes and work together to disseminate the results of research. Next Steps First Ministers direct Ministers responsible for Social Services and Health to begin implementation as soon as possible of the commitments and priorities outlined above. _______________________
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