Sample letter supporting Early Learning and Child Care: From a social work student

We invite you to copy and paste, or better yet draw inspiration from/personalize the letter below to send to Minister Hussen, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Deputy Prime Minster and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland as well as your local representative.

The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
Employment and Social Development Canada

Dear Minister:

With the introduction of the spring budget, the federal government is expected to formalize its support for a universal Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system. I am writing today to express my unwavering support for this important initiative.

As a social work student, I am acutely aware of the urgent need for Early Learning and Child Care. A universal system offering high quality education configured around parents’ working lives, will benefit not only children and their families, but society as a whole.

Access to affordable, high quality education and care contributes to the social, emotional and cognitive growth of children in the pre-school years, the most formative time for brain development — cognitively, socially, and emotionally. It supports parents, particularly women, who wish to enter the workforce. It makes it easier for women experiencing domestic violence to leave abusive relationships. It levels the playing field for racialized families, newcomer and immigrant families and other marginalized groups who are currently unable to access high-quality early learning and care due to prohibitive costs.

Scientific evidence clearly shows that childcare based on high quality early learning instills protective factors in children over their lifetime, setting the stage for resilient outcomes in times of adversity and providing children with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in later years. A universal system focused on early childhood education would give all children the opportunity to thrive.

Over the past year, I have witnessed the havoc that COVID-19 has wreaked on families, exposing the gross inequities in our society. Working mothers have been especially hard hit, and many have dropped out of the labour force to care for their children. In marginalized families, the impact has been even greater. A universal Early Learning and Child Care system will play a significant role in addressing these inequities.

Further, an investment today will also reduce our service costs for social assistance and mental health supports in the future. Indeed, economists have shown that the economic benefits are far reaching.

A high quality, universal Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system is imperative to the well-being of future generations and will lead to a stronger future for generations to come. Now is the time to act to improve the health and wellbeing of children, families, and Canada’s diverse communities.

Sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]
[ADDRESS]

Cc: The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, P.C. M.P.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister

Contact information

Ahmed Hussen
Ahmed.Hussen@parl.gc.ca
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
Employment and Social Development Canada

Justin Trudeau
pm@pm.gc.ca
Prime Minister of Canada
Office of the Prime Minister

Chrystia Freeland
chrystia.freeland@canada.ca
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

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