Mr. Speaker, the linkage between the quality of early childhood care and the physical, mental and social health outcome of children is well established.
As the finance minister has stated, good fiscal policy makes good social policy and good social policy makes good fiscal policy.
Investments in early childhood development will provide beneficial social dividends.
Families have diverse circumstances. As a consequence, parents must be given the flexibility, options and choices to provide the best possible care for their children.
The government has responded and will continue to respond. Consider the Canada child tax benefit, the community action program for children and the Canada prenatal nutrition program. Consider also the Canada millennium scholarship, the youth employment strategy and registered education savings plans for older children. Consider the spousal tax credit for single income families. Consider a balanced budget that gives us the freedom to provide broad based tax relief so that all parents have more money.
Let us work together to help all parents, those who work outside the home and those who work so hard at home, give their children the best future possible.