Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about early childhood development. I am concerned about the potential effects that certain government programs can indirectly have upon our children. Junior kindergarten and other daycare programs have a large body of research on early childhood development that has not yet produced a scientific consensus as to the meaningful benefits that children can gain and maintain in the long term.
I must also state that I do recognize that there has been much study and evidence to suggest that having a robust universal daycare program can provide many benefits to parents and the economy. Even a recent study done this by government has underscored those points. The focus of my statement, though, is about the impacts that such programs can have on our children.
Mr. Speaker, there are reports in jurisdictions that have yielded results within the concept of education-based junior kindergarten, where such programs can have the potential to impede the social and emotional development of children by removing them from family care and into a classroom setting too early.
Mr. Speaker, a jurisdiction like Finland has a play-focused universal daycare in place and the option of a Child Home Care Allowance program. This program provides a monthly allowance that is based on income and the age and number of children in each family. It is designed for family members to stay at home and care for their young children.
Mr. Speaker, I know that a strong family unit is the basis for a strong and prosperous society. I also know that children's first five years are the most crucial for social, physical, emotional, and intellectual development. I believe that this government should consider investing in other programs in order to enable children to develop the strongest possible relations with their parents. I also believe that any junior kindergarten and non-parental daycare programs that are also supported by this government should primarily emphasize play, as opposed to instruction.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted