The 18th Annual Summer Institute on Early Childhood Development – The Early Years: In, About, and For the Environment

This year the theme of the Atkinson Centre Summer Institute is, The Early Years: In, About, and For the Environment. The event will focus on the effects of climate change on the early years, and how we can incorporate environmental responsibility into the early years to support young children towards climate responsibility and action.

Speakers will range from advocates to researchers. We will share lessons learned from Indigenous communities and others who are trailblazers in this area, and end the institute with building partnerships and capacities.

The Walrus Leadership Forum: Fuelling the She-covery

What does a post-pandemic recovery for women look like?

During the pandemic, women have been at a higher risk of personal and professional disruption–but strides have been made to encourage a she-covery. Through the passing of $10 a day childcare legislation, recovery plans to bring women back into the workforce, as well as significant changes in what workplaces will look like, what actions is Canada taking to ensure women emerge from this pandemic stronger than before?

Featuring:

Alicia Dubois, CEO, Royal British Columbia Museum
The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, Chair, Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation
Jake Stika, Executive Director and Co-founder, Next Gen Men
Leena Yousefi, Lawyer and CEO, YLAW

WATCH these four speakers discuss the state of the she-covery, celebrate the political, economic, and social successes achieved by women, and delve into the work that is still left to be done.

Future of Canada Conversations – Are we on the right track for Canada to thrive?

Deloitte Canada’s Future of Canada Conversations series focuses on how our country’s economy is trending in relation to the recommendations made in this report, and provides insight on national issues such as early childhood education. On Friday March 26th Craig Alexander, Chief Economist and Executive Advisor, Deloitte Canada, Georgina Black, Managing Partner, Government, Public Services, and Health Care, Deloitte Canada, and the Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain met virtually for a discussion on how investing in early learning and child care will support a bright future for all Canadians.

• Access the English recording
• Access the French recording

Access the Early Learning and Childcare as Key Economic Infrastructure report:

• English
• French

Should Childcare be in the Budget?

National childcare has been discussed in Canada for decades, but Covid-19 has highlighted that it is not only a social policy or early childhood education issue but an economic policy imperative. As the epidemic has demonstrated, we have a she-cession that affects women differently than men, and a good part of the solution is to ensure equal access to return to the workforce for women and men. Is this the time at last?

Is this the federal budget that has to take the big step and make it a reality?

Access the full webinar HERE

• Also see Pearson Centre’s report “A Childcare Plan“

Should National Childcare be in the Throne Speech?

Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic and the largest workforce lockdown in a generation, governments are seeing how women have been disproportionately affected. With high rates of job loss, many women and are less able to return to the workplace compared to their male counterparts, and at a slower rate. The lack of adequate, safe, and affordable child care is one of the key hurdles for many women. As such, some economists are advocating for a national childcare program. Without this, some are saying we run the risk of setting back the advancement of women in the workforce by decades. Supportive private and public sector employers say they need their female employees on board in order to re-build. But is it worth the staggering multi-billion dollar investments that some project will be necessary?

The Pearson Centre had a discussion on where we stand now and what comes next. Featuring:

• Kerry McCuaig – Fellow in Early Childhood Policy, Atkinson Centre for Society and Child Development, OISE/UToronto
• Craig Alexander – Partner and Chief Economist, Deloitte
• Dr. David Philpott -Professor, Memorial University Faculty of Education; Child Development Researcher and Advocate

In conversation with…
Brian Gallant – 33rd Premier of New Brunswick; Advisory Board, The Pearson Centre

• Access the full webinar HERE

The Pre-emptive Nature of Quality Early Child Education on Special Educational Needs

• Presentation

The Honourable Margaret McCain remarks to the Special Education Needs Symposium

David and Jane thank you so much for making this important evidence come alive in your presentation. And thanks to Stacey and the Atkinson Centre for hosting us.

The pre-emptive nature of quality early childhood education on special education is a story that needs be told and disseminated widely.

Early education as a remedy for the runaway costs of special education is a motivator for action. Schools do respond successfully to the unique challenges some children confront, but how kinder it is to the child and the family to identify problems and intervene before the hurt and frustration sets in.

The evidence David and his team have amassed will be featured in the upcoming Early Years Study 4 due for release 20 years after the first study. Its call to “Reverse the Real Brain Drain” is still timely. Although there have been gains, many of them precipitated by the work of those in the room, we cannot be satisfied when only one in three Canadian children have an opportunity to participate in preschool.

It’s also timely that we’re meeting today; the day set aside to show appreciation for the work of early childhood educators. Quality early education and the quality of the early child workforce form an unbreakable bond. Policy makers must understand this in their quest to expand child care spaces. More child care without addressing the status of the workforce will only produce poor outcomes for children and for society.

Given the outcome of this week’s election there may be an opening to influence early childhood policy that makes a difference. Early learning was an issue for all the progressive parties who will form the agenda in the next Parliament. Turning promises to effective action will take input, scrutiny and more input. Our Foundation is pleased to support the work of champions like David. We know you will all join him for this next big push to make quality early childhood education for all a reality.

Thank you.

Meetings with the Government of New Brunswick

The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain was in Fredericton, September 26, 27 for a series of discussions with Government officials on the role of early childhood education and its potential for improved productivity, literacy and economic growth in New Brunswick. Mrs. McCain also lead celebrations at the University of New Brunswick launching a new on-line degree in early childhood education and co-hosted a breakfast meeting for business leaders with the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce.

• Access the Media Advisory
• Access The Honourable McCain’s Speaking Notes – Fredericton, Sept 26, 2019

Early Childhood Education: A Foundation for a Fair and Productive Society

Early Childhood Education and care is a game-changer, playing multiple roles in promoting parents’ labour force participation, women’s equity, immigrant settlement, poverty reduction and economic development.

The Honourable Margaret McCain and Scott McCain of the Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation Inc., and co-host Karen Grant of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, along with Craig Alexander of Deloitte Canada discussed why high quality early childhood education is so beneficial to the economy and laying a foundation to a fair and productive society.

• Invitation
• Press Release
• Presentation

L to R: Scott McCain, Margaret McCain, Craig Alexander

University of New Brunswick Online Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education Launch

The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain and Dr. Sharon Wahl, Dean, Faculty of Education and colleagues, will celebrate the launch of the University of New Brunswick’s online Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education

Canadian Mothercraft Society

Scott McCain, board member of Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation Inc. will make opening remarks and participate on the panel.