Evidence of meeting #61 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was services.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Bloc
Sylvie Bérubé Bloc Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC
Are there other diversity-related considerations that could be added to Bill C-35?
Associate Executive Director, Muttart Foundation
In terms of specifics, again, the overarching guidelines.... I think it's clear in paragraphs 7(1)(a), 7(1)(b), 7(1)(c) and 7(1)(d) that there should be appropriate references to diversity. Wording or a friendly amendment is needed in those sections, absolutely. It's critical that this program be inclusive for all children and families.
Bloc
Sylvie Bérubé Bloc Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC
There is no definition in the bill of “child care” or the “age of the children” covered by the Canada-wide early learning and child care system.
Is that a problem, in your opinion? Can you tell us about the impact that might have?
I would like the three witnesses to answer this question, please.
Associate Executive Director, Muttart Foundation
I'm happy to answer first and briefly. Thank you for the question.
It's my understanding that, in terms of framing the legislation, at the moment most of the bilateral agreements speak to zero to six, but there is potential—and it's an important area—to recognize that this also might extend to after-school care. I think the legislation is attempting to be enabling rather than limiting.
Bloc
National Director, Campaign 2000
Thank you for the question.
I would add that, from a poverty perspective, children below the age of six consistently have higher rates of child poverty. Oftentimes it's related to the mother's inability to earn an income and the high cost and lack of availability of infant child care, so starting with targeting children zero to five is really important.
I agree with Mr. Smith that it has to then extend out to older kids and middle-year children, where we are finding a gap in services—who also have significant educational and developmental needs—for kids living in poverty.
On the diversity question, I would just add that there's a difference between diversity, inclusion and equity. We need to be striving for equity and inclusion. In our submission, we've put very clear amendments to clause 7 on that.
Bloc
Sylvie Bérubé Bloc Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC
Thank you, Ms. Sarangi.
Ms. Gawlick, what is your view?
Executive Director, Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia
Thank you. I concur with my colleagues here today.
Also, just be mindful that other jurisdictions don't put that age limit from birth to six. We look at the early years as a much broader, thoughtful process. I think that's important as we move forward.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Bérubé.
Is it Ms. Gazan for five minutes?
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Yes. Thank you so much.
I was happy to hear all the witnesses talk about how they were happy to see the inclusion of UNDRIP in the bill and the mention of the TRC. We know that one of the most violent colonial acts in the country was forceably apprehending children, taking away parental autonomy and shipping kids off to residential schools. I'm glad that we're moving forward in a way where people recognize that injustice.
We know, with the passing of Bill C-15 in the last Parliament, that the application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was affirmed in Canadian law. That includes article 3, which relates to the right to self-determination. We know that central to the right to self-determine is the respect of the free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples.
This is a yes or no question for all of the people on the panel today. Would you support, in addition to the current article in the bill, that first nations, Inuit and Métis children and families are best supported by early learning and child care programs and services that are culturally appropriate, that are led by indigenous peoples—this is the amendment that I think is critical if we're going to move forward in reconciliation—and that uphold the right of indigenous people to free, prior and informed consent on matters relating to children?
Is it yes or no?
Mr. Smith.
Associate Executive Director, Muttart Foundation
I think it's covered in guiding principle 7(1).
Thank you.
Executive Director, Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia
Yes, I agree.
Thank you.
National Director, Campaign 2000
Absolutely, and I would suggest making that the first top line.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Okay. Thank you so much, Madam Sarangi. I actually have another question for you.
Do you agree that Bill C-35 should be amended to include an explicit commitment to supporting decent working conditions and livable wages and benefits for child care staff as one of the principles guiding the federal investment in the system?
National Director, Campaign 2000
Yes, definitely.
There was a question earlier about the need, the gap in staffing of 40,000 and about having decent work legislated, offering wages that bring people up above the low-income measure and having those decent working conditions, as we've been discussing. ECE workers, child care workers, will be attracted to those jobs and will be better retained. Yes, definitely.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Moving on, let's talk about workers, as you certainly did in your presentation. We hear a lot about the workforce crisis in child care, but we hear less about who these workers are. We know that they're overwhelmingly women and, disproportionately, women of colour and many migrant women. Can you expand on some of the challenges facing these workers and how we can better support workers in the sector?
National Director, Campaign 2000
Yes. These are mostly racialized women with precarious work hours who are barely making minimum wage in these jobs, and that creates a crisis in their families. These are also mothers who need to access and pay for child care. It is a benefit to have decent work with livable wages, opportunities for professional development—that pedagogical development—and staff who can have that warm relationship with the children in care.
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Thank you so much, Madam Sarangi.
Madam Gawlick, like I said, we've heard a lot in this committee about a worker shortage. I take issue with this term because I know there are trained child care workers out there, but many are leaving the profession or not entering it after graduating because of the poor wages, benefits and working conditions. How important is it for us to address these issues in order to solve the workforce crisis?
Executive Director, Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia
I believe it's imperative. I think, as we move forward to build this system, that's the first thing that needs to be addressed: the workforce issues around wages, benefits, working conditions and respect for the work that a predominantly women workforce is doing on a day-to-day basis.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Ms. Gazan, you can have a very short question, please. The time is up.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Okay, sure.
Would you support adding more clear language to Bill C-35 that one of the guiding principles guiding the federal funding ought to be supporting an early childhood education workforce that has decent working conditions, livable wages and benefits?