Human Resources committee  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.

Human Resources committee  It would be fabulous if we could see that embedded into this.

Human Resources committee  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.

Human Resources committee  Yes, I agree. Thank you.

Human Resources committee  Absolutely. We need to look at the different jurisdictions where child care is needed and have specific targets and transitions for those communities as well.

Human Resources committee  From our perspective, the long-term goal is to ensure that all children and families have access to high-quality child care in the communities in which they choose to live and work.

Human Resources committee  Thanks for that question. Absolutely, I think there have been really good strides, particularly here in British Columbia, to support the sector to continue on with their education and to meet the demands. Definitely the demand is huge in this province as well as in other provinces and territories.

Human Resources committee  For child care, it really depends on each community, but for specific age groups it can be up to two to three years.

Human Resources committee  There's definitely a difference depending on what kinds of programs and services are offered in particular rural and urban communities. Do I have the numbers at my fingertips? Not right at this moment, but I can pass that on.

Human Resources committee  Good morning, honourable Chair and committee members. I'm honoured to be calling in from the land that I live, work and grow on, which is the unsurrendered traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish nations. Through our obligations, ECEBC is compelled to think deeply, to listen with intention and to act ethically with commitments through the following lenses: the B.C. early learning framework, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, the ECEBC code of ethics, the indigenous early learning and child care framework, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Human Resources committee  I'm sorry.

Human Resources committee  When early childhood education is understood and operated as a commodity to be purchased by consumers in a competitive market, early childhood education is reduced to an economic transaction without consideration of educational values and purpose. From this perspective, early childhood educators are viewed as technicians only within a model of cost efficiency and minimum universal standards.