Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the Member mentions some of the presentations that have been made by the department, to date, to Caucus and to the standing committee and certainly I can speak for our department that early childhood development is a very key priority.
As we have shared with Members, the potential impact on the life and well-being of a child, of a person, can be so significantly impacted in those first six years. So I can speak for this department and I can speak for myself that it is a priority. The department is working cooperatively with the boards, other departments and jurisdictions and the federal government, as was previously mentioned, to coordinate and implement early childhood development programs for children, family and communities. I am sure that in my briefings with the department I know that this is an issue that is very near and dear to the deputy's heart as well, and perhaps she could add to that.