Mahsi, Madam Chair. As the Member of this House clearly stated, early childhood development is very critical, an important piece of work that’s before us and an important matter for the entire community to adopt
as a priority. As you are aware, the responsibility for proper care for children not only falls on government but also the entire community. It’s a shared responsibility. It is, therefore, very encouraging to see this principle and collaboration of action with the town of Inuvik, where the entire community rallied for the costs and came out with 80 percent of the costs for building a place for the children of Inuvik.
The Children First Society, with the help of the Town of Inuvik, private sector and residents of Inuvik, were able to raise a significant portion of 80 percent of the required capital funding. The contribution from the GNWT will allow this facility to be constructed and the society will fund the O and M costs, as well, through user fees.
I understand that some of you are troubled by what looks like a one-off, providing funding to an NGO for this type of facility in the absence of a broader policy, as the Member alluded to. It is precedent setting, and I agree with you that such a policy framework needs to be devolved and we will definitely work toward that, but we have to keep in mind that early childhood development is a priority that we all share, and the government is committed to developing the updated Early Childhood Development Framework.
Funding policies for daycares and the like, however, should not be developed ahead of time or in isolation of the framework initiative but, rather, reflect on the intent and objectives of the overall Early Childhood Development Framework. So we are committed to work towards that. That’s what I wanted to share with the Members. I know Members have raised this issue in the past and we’ll continue to work towards the policy.