Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to keep the Minister of ECE hopping today. On June 4, 2015, a feasibility study of universal affordable daycare was tabled in this House, and early childhood education and care provides multiple benefits to children, families and societies. Its documented outcomes have led rich jurisdictions and poor to enhance programming opportunities for young children. The NWT’s Early Childhood Development Framework and associated action plan reflect global trends aimed at improving access to quality early childhood programs.
I would like to ask the Minister, does he feel now, given this feasibility study and action plan, that an affordable universal daycare system for the NWT is indeed feasible? Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The tabling of the document, Universal Affordable Daycare Feasibility Study, in May and June 2015, is a comprehensive package that has been delivered to us. We had an outside consultant give us some feedback of an affordability nature. Obviously, this area does create some challenges within my department within GNWT. When we talk about existing licenced child care spaces, obviously we would have to double that in the communities. This is information that was shared to us by consultants as well. Many communities are lacking infrastructure, as well, so we have to build on infrastructure and also double the training of early childhood educators in the communities. These are just some areas that are part of the feasibility report.
Also, the cost factor is upwards of an estimated $17.4 million to initiate the feasibility of affordable daycare in the Northwest Territories. That is some information and feedback that we received from the consultants during the engagement. Mahsi.
Indeed, those are important factors that some of us have been speaking about for at least eight years. It’s disappointing that more progress has not been made in this area as the benefits at all levels of family and society of a comprehensive universal affordable daycare system in the NWT would be far reaching. According to the study, the NWT’s child care system is immature, more closely resembling a cottage industry than a universal service.
I am wondering: what are the barriers of moving forward with an affordable comprehensive universal daycare system for people of the NWT, recognizing that it may be costly but beneficial.
It would all depend on the financial situation we are faced with today and also the 18th Assembly. If the 18th Assembly government, depending on their financial situation, feel that this is a priority for them, by all means.
We’ve done our homework. As Members passed a motion in the House, we’ve done our due diligence. We have the information. That will be part of a document for the 18th Assembly to consider if they wish to proceed with that. My department was tasked with doing a feasibility study and we’ve done that. We’ve provided that information. Now in the 18th Assembly the…(inaudible)…will be laid out for them. Mahsi.
I think Members of the House greatly appreciate the department and Mr. Lafferty taking on this study. It was a comprehensive piece of work. The conclusions note in the report that kindergarten assessments indicate that two out of five children are entering school with delays that will likely compromise their academic chances. No society can prosper when such a huge portion of its youngsters are left behind.
We’ve done the work, as the Minister says. It’s apparent that the benefits of a universal daycare are huge. We have a study and an action plan. All we need now is some commitment on the part of government.
Just what are this government’s plans to move this much needed program forward? How will they do that?
It is the will of this Assembly to move that forward. The feasibility has been done. All the information has been provided. The 18th Assembly is the new government that is coming into play within the next couple of months. If it is seen as a priority for the 18th Assembly, then the groundwork has already been done, all the information. The fiscal situation, depending on the 18th Assembly, how they want to proceed with it.
This information, the feasibility study, all the groundwork that we’ve done will be laid, again, for the new Assembly coming into force within the next couple of months.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to the Minister. So, how is the pursuit of a system of universal affordable daycare being advanced in the transition reports being prepared for the 18th Assembly to assure that this opportunity is realized?
As I stated earlier, if it’s the wish of this Assembly to move this as far as the transition document, then it will be laid out for the 18th Assembly.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.
