Children ignored in Canadian scheme of things
Vancouver Island News Group - Cowichan News Leader And Pictorial
February 27, 2009
Opinion by: Mary Dolan

Dear Prime Minister Stephen Harper,

I am writing to express deep concern about the UNICEF report on childcare, which was released December 2008. Why is Canada tying for dead last (with Ireland) in the services for Child Care and Early Learning?

Why are the needs of vulnerable young children being ignored by your government?

When I hear comments from you and your finance Minister about Canada being in the best economic position compared to other economies I am dismayed. Our children are being denied their entitlement under the Declaration on the Rights of the Child. If in fact there is a greater share of economic well-being in this country it must be benefiting the rich and powerful. According to the UNICEF report Canada's children are not receiving their fair share of the GDP - not even one per cent for them.

It is both compassionate and prudent fiscally to pay immediate attention to this shocking report. It states today's rising generation is the first in which a majority are spending a large part of early childhood in some form of out-of- home care.

It states the latest in neuroscientific research which demonstrates loving, stable, secure and stimulating relationships during the early years are critical to all aspects of child development.

It states benchmarks for measuring early childhood care and education as well as a set of minimum standards for protecting the rights of children during their vulnerable and formative years. It states that a country's response to this transition will represent an advance or a setback for today's children and tomorrow's world.

It has been made clear your $100 per month childcare allowance is not giving parents the choices you talk of, or children entitlements of care and early education.

This is a matter of immense importance. How Canada's young children are treated, affects every aspect of the development of this great country for better or worse. The lack of adequate response from past governments has led to the negative impacts we see today in society, however you govern at a time like none before. You are educated through research on the importance of early brain development. You have the benefit of neuroscientific research.

You are not in the dark. Why are our children?