Released on September 12, 2000
The federal government will transfer $2.2 billion to the provinces over thenext five years for Early Childhood Development Programs under an agreement
reached at the First Ministers Conference in Ottawa.
The agreement calls for Saskatchewan to receive $10.5 million in the 2001/2002
fiscal year, $13 million the following year and $16.5 million in each of the
final three years. Social Services Minister Harry Van Mulligen made the
announcement today while touring Regina's Four Directions Community Health
Centre with Human Resources Development Minister Jane Stewart.
"This historic agreement provides us with an opportunity to continue building
on the Early Childhood Development focus in the Saskatchewan Action Plan for
Children," Van Mulligen said.
Van Mulligen identified programs for children up to three years old, high risk
children, particularly those with fetal alcohol syndrome or fetal alcohol
effect (FAS/FAE), and the enhancement of existing programs as first priorities
for new funding. Details of how the money will be spent will be shared in the
next provincial budget. In the interim, the province will work with the
existing structure of the Action Plan for Children to develop the details of
the plan.
"The early years are critical in the development of a child, establishing the
foundation for the quality of that child's life," Stewart said. "This new
funding will help all Canadian children achieve their unique potential."
"This agreement builds on the momentum the federal, provincial and territorial
governments started with the National Children's Agenda and the National Child
Benefit."
While the agreement provides provinces and territories the flexibility to spend
the money in accordance with their own Early Childhood Development priorities,
programs will fall under one or more of the following areas:
Promotion of healthy pregnancy, birth and infancy (for example, prenatal
information and infant screening for FAS/FAE).
Improving parenting and family supports (for example, family resource
centres);
Strengthening early childhood development and care (for example,
preschools, child care, targeted developmental programs); and
Strengthen community supports (for example, community-based planning and
service integration).
The jurisdictions also committed to work together to report annually on
progress made under this initiative.
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For more information contact:
Doug Wakabayashi Maureen McLellan
Social Services Manager, Communications
Regina Human Resources Development Canada
Phone: (306) 787-8689 Regina, Phone: (306) 780-6249