Tom Beaulieu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are many studies and organizations which state that play is critical to the development of children to foster future citizens who are happy and healthy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, committee would like to consider Tabled Document 63-18(3), Main Estimates 2018-2019, and continuing on with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, followed by the continuation of the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs, time permitting. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

As the Minister just indicated, I am particularly aware of that one program that I spoke of. There are probably many all over the world. Can the Minister commit to looking at best practices from other jurisdictions in early childhood development?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement, I talked about early childhood development. I realize that we have programs, prenatal programs, and pediatricians, midwives, healthy families, other education programs, daycare, and so on. I would like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment if he would agree to work with the Minister of Health and Social Services to look at other early childhood development initiatives to support the development of our children? Thank you.

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about early childhood development. I am concerned about the potential effects that certain government programs can indirectly have upon our children. Junior kindergarten and other daycare programs have a large body of research on early childhood development that has not yet produced a scientific consensus as to the meaningful benefits that children can gain and maintain in the long term.

I must also state that I do recognize that there has been much study and evidence to suggest that having a robust universal daycare program can...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the chair of Committee of the Whole leave the chair and report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister agree to begin the process of evaluating junior kindergarten as a long-term objective, but starting now with his department? Thank you.

I would like to ask the Minister if he is aware of programs that provide financial support to parents to stay at home to facilitate the development of their children.

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Kate Powell, principal from Deninu School in Fort Resolution. I would also like to recognize my new CA, Pascal Erasmus, who is in the gallery today. I would like to recognize Mero Sundberg, interpreter from Detah. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, just on a bit of clarification I am seeking overall: I needed to ask the Minister about early childhood development education, so I am talking about early childhood development educators. Aside from the grant, is there anything in this particular activity where the money is used to educate early childhood development workers? Thank you, Mr. Chair.