The provincial government is forming a commission that will develop options to create universally accessible early learning and childcare for all Manitobans who need it.
Family Services Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross made the announcement yesterday in Winnipeg.
“We must ensure that every parent has an equal opportunity to participate in the workplace and we must provide every child with the best start to succeed,” she said. “Manitobans have told us very clearly that high-quality early learning and child-care services are essential for helping many families and children achieve those goals.”
The new commission will look at Manitoba’s early learning and child-care system to offer advice and options that will help the province further develop high-quality, affordable childcare, Irvin-Ross said.
“Manitoba is on the right track with child care and has ambitious plans for the future,” said Pat Wege, executive director, Manitoba Child Care Association. “The commission is a timely initiative and will ensure we continue to work together to build a strong system, responsive to the needs of modern families including high-quality early learning for their children.”
Irvin-Ross said the province is responding to feedback expressed by parents, the child-care sector and other stakeholders during public consultations last year.
The coming weeks will see a commissioner selected to lead this work, she said.
