The ChildCare2020 conference in Winnipeg Nov 13-15 2014 was a huge success. More than 600 people - educators, researchers, parents, advocates, policy makers and politicians - attended. The conference was sold out for the last week and - while we were sorry that we had to turn people away, we were elated by the response. The program was inspiring, informative and sometimes provocative as we connected with each other and shared ideas and experiences from across Canada.
The conference opened with a powerful video, A vision for universal childcare (English and French), generously funded by the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
After two and a half days of discussion and collaboration, it is very clear that we are all ready for a national child care program. There is a buzz in the air that its time has come.
On the final day of the conference, Toronto city councilor and early childhood educator Janet Davis moved a motion to endorse the vision set out in the conference background paper Child care in Canada by 2020: A vision and a way forward (English and French). Councilor Davis' motion was unanimously and enthusiastically approved by the conference delegates.
There was immense enthusiasm and solidarity on the need to build on the vision, energy and messages of ChildCare2020. The conference organizers will be communicating with all interested ECEC supporters via the conference's E-newsletter and posting all the conference presentations on the ChildCare2020 website.
As well, watch this site for further news about the progress of carrying forward what we learned and shared at the conference from vision to action, and then (as conference speaker Ken Dryden characterized it) to delivering the vision.
The Childcare Resource and Research Unit was a proud partner in organizing the conference. We acknowledge our main partners, the Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada and the Canadian Child Care Federation, the many generous sponsors and funders, the fabulous speakers and all the participants. ChildCare 2020 represents a collaborative, shared vision and effort. The conference was a beginning, not the end.
Childcare 2020 in the news
Canada needs $15-a-day child care, Mulcair advocates
Toronto Star, 14 Nov 14
Push for national child-care strategy takes place in Winnipeg
CBC News, 14 Nov 14
Childcare will become key election issue, Ken Dryden tells conference
Ottawa Citizen, 15 Nov 14
Push childcare as part of 'public good' in coming election, educators told
Ottawa Citizen, 13 Nov 14
Mulcair praised for universal daycare
Winnipeg Free Press, 15 Nov 14
10 Times #ChildCare2020 Totally Blew Our Minds
Buzzfeed, 16 Nov 14