Funding for Kids and Families
On January 1, 2020, BC Premier John Horgan announced the launch of the new B.C. Child Opportunity Benefit. Eligible families with one child will receive up to $1,600 per year, families with two children up to $2,600 and those with three kids will receive up to $3,400 each year.
The B.C. Child Opportunity Benefit was announced along with other initiatives enacted by the B.C. government, including the elimination of Medical Services Plan premiums effective January 1, 2020.
On January 22, 2020, federal, provincial and territorial ministers most responsible for early learning and child care met to discuss shared interests for early learning and child care systems across Canada. A report from Employment and Social Development Canada stated, “Most ministers noted the positive results that have been achieved from their joint investments and the impact it had in making affordable, high quality early learning and child care more accessible to families in Canada. Results to date suggest that 38,000 more affordable child care spaces have been created through federal investments, which is 95% of the March 2020 target of 40,000 spaces.”
“Ministers noted that many parents struggle to balance work and child care responsibilities. To ensure that children across Canada can experience the enriching environment of inclusive quality early learning and child care, ministers discussed the importance of maintaining current federal child care investments. Ministers also agreed to begin discussions, in accordance with provincial and territorial priorities, on opportunities for partnership and collaboration on new federal commitments related to more affordable before- and after-school care, support for early childhood educators, and a new secretariat on early learning and child care.”
The meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and the Honourable Brad Trivers, Prince Edward Island's Minister of Education and Lifelong Learning. Brad Trivers commented, "Investments in children are one of the best investments we can make in our people and our future prosperity. Provinces and territories look forward to renewing our partnership with the federal government to support families and help more children experience the enriching environment of high-quality early learning and child care.”
The report notes: “Ministers agreed that a variety of perspectives on early learning and child care should be considered—including families, linguistic minority communities, early childhood educators and other experts—as federal, provincial and territorial governments look to implement the next generation of bilateral agreements while ensuring that important child care services are provided to children and families are not impacted. The priorities and perspectives of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation communities on the new federal commitments will also be sought. Ministers agreed to continue working together to disseminate information to Canadians on the positive impacts of their joint investments in early learning and child care.”