The Canada Early Learning and Child Care Act, also known as Bill C-35, is a law about early learning and child care across Canada. It shows the Canadian government's plan for a country-wide system for early learning and child care. The goal is for families to have access to programs that are affordable, inclusive, and of high quality, no matter where they live. The law says the government will keep providing money for these programs for a long time, working with provinces and Indigenous groups.
The Act promises ongoing teamwork with provinces and Indigenous peoples. It also ensures continued funding to support the growth and maintenance of the Canada-wide system. Federal investments should help ensure programs are accessible, affordable, inclusive, and high quality. These investments also need to consider the needs of children from marginalized groups, including children with disabilities, and children from English and French speaking minority communities.
The Act creates a National Advisory Council on Early Learning and Child Care. This council will give advice to the Minister about early learning and child care. The council will also talk to people and groups interested in early learning and child care, like parents and experts. The Minister must prepare a report each year summarizing federal investments, progress made, and advice received from the council. This report will be presented to Parliament.
Finally, the Act states that it should be understood in a way that supports the rights of Indigenous peoples, as recognized in the Constitution. It recognizes the importance of early learning and child care programs that are culturally appropriate and led by Indigenous communities. The act also aims to progressively realize the right to benefit from child care services as recognized in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and contribute to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Spending
The Act commits the Government of Canada to maintaining long-term funding for early learning and child care programs and services, including those for Indigenous peoples and official language minority communities. Funding will be provided primarily through agreements with provincial governments and Indigenous governing bodies.