All of Canada is now paying attention to Quebec’s child care model, for inspiration and lessons, and in Quebec a thorough provincial government consultation and review is underway to identify what further improvements are needed.
“Despite undeniable progress in terms of both the quality of and access to early childhood education and care, not a day goes by without parents, and in particular mothers, calling me about the lack of spaces,” says Families Minister Mathieu Lacombe in his introduction to the reflection document, which will serve as the basis of the consultations. “Still others have spoken to me about problems with one stitch or another of the complex quilt that is our early learning and child care system.”
An online survey for parents, and regional public and stakeholder consultations are being held across the province until mid-June. Special sessions are planned for Indigenous communities. As well, the provincial government is bringing together 150 municipal elected officials to provide their input.