This ISSUE file will pull together all elements of the public consultation on educational child care services conducted by the Government of Quebec between April and June 2021. The consultation aimed to identify potential solutions related to the increased and more complex needs of child care services, to improve and ensure equal opportunities for all children and to meet the needs of working parents in Quebec.
The ISSUE file will be broken down into sections: government information, community responses, media and other relevant information.
The ISSUE file has been updated to reflect the adoption of Bill 1, An Act to amend the Educational Childcare Act to improve access to the educational childcare services network and complete its development [1], as a result of the 2021 public consultation.
The majority of the information is available in French only; however, a translation tool [2] can be used to assist with the content. In addition, Google Chrome browers will automatically translate webpages [3].
On 7th April 2022, Québec officially passed Bill 1 which amends the Educational Childcare Services Act. The new legislation enacts major reforms, including recognizing child care as an entitlement and specifying the government’s legal obligation to ensure child care availability where it is needed. In addition, the amended legislation modifies the method of allocating spaces in order to speed up the expansion process by increasing the maximum capacity of child care facilities from 80 to 100 as well as integrating unregulated home child care providers into the network.
Relevant documents related to the public consultation and the passing of Bill 1, An Act to amend the Educational Childcare Act to improve access to the educational childcare services network and complete its development, are available on the National Assembly of Québec website in both French [7] and English [1].
Adoption du projet de loi no 1: le Québec pourra enfin compléter son réseau des services de garde éducatifs à l'enfance [8]
Gouvernement du Québec, 7 April 2022
Daycare bill gives Quebec 5 years to create 37,000 spaces [9] (Available in English and French)
CTV News, 7 April 2022
Quebec daycare bill to be passed, PQ to vote against [10] (Available in English and French)
CTV News, 3 April 2022
Availability
Website [EN] [11]
Website [FR] [12]
Reflection document [EN] [13]
Reflection document [FR [14]]
Québec's major reforms of child care
Building on the recommendations received in the public consultation on educational child care services earlier this year, the government of Québec introduced a bill [15] that enacts major reforms to the child care system, including specifying the right of a child to receive educational childcare services as well as the obligation for the Minister of Families in ensuring the development of subsidized child care where there is inadequate supply. The Minister also presented an action plan [16] committing at least three billion dollars ($1.8B in new spending) to creating 37,000 new subsidized spaces by March 31, 2025 including 1,000 spaces for Indigenous communities. While 19,000 spaces (including 3,500 non-subsidized spaces to be converted) are already underway, the government has launched a call for projects to create the remaining 17,000 spaces. This plan also includes an increase in the child care tax credit. This follows the government’s announcement [17] about a raise of 12% to 17% in wages for early childhood educators in publicly funded programs (CPEs) as staff continue to strike and protest across the province amidst negotiations of a new contract.
An Act to amend the Educational Childcare Act to improve access to the educational childcare services network and complete its development [15]
National Assembly of Québec, 2021
The Minister of Families introduced a bill to improve access to the Quebec's educational childcare services network and complete its development. The bill reinforces children’s right to receive quality educational childcare services by introducing the obligation for the Minister of Families to ensure the development of subsidized child care where there is inadequate supply. In addition, the bill amends the mechanism for assessing child care needs and assigning new subsidized spaces, repeals the provisions concerning unregulated home-based child care and introduces special rules allowing the Government to enter intro an agreement with an Aboriginal nation or community on any matter within the scope of the Educational Childcare Act or the regulations.
Plan d’action pour compléter le réseau des services de garde éducatifs à l’enfance [16]
Ministère de la Famille, 21 October 2021
Building on the recommendations received in the public consultation on educational child care services in spring 2021, the government of Quebec announced an action plan that aims to improve availability, accessibility, and quality of the existing child care system, consolidate home-based child care services, and strengthen the workforce. The plan also includes proposed legislative changes that will enact major reforms to the publicly funded system and give the government special powers to fill necessary gaps in the system, like creating new subsidized spaces and monitoring the waiting list.
This page contains a compilation of publicly available community responses and submissions to the consultation on educational childcare services conducted by the Government of Quebec between April and June 2021.
The majority of the information is available in French only; however, a translation tool [2] can be used to assist with the content. In addition, Google Chrome browers will automatically translate webpages [3].
Un accès pour toutes les familles…enfin! [18]
Association québécoise des centres de la petite enfance (AQCPE), 21 October 2021
L'Association québécoise des centres de la petite enfance (AQCPE) welcomes the government of Quebec's action plan to complete the network of educational childcare services. The AQCPE and its member expect that a large majority of the development projects will be in CPEs to meet the need for quality child care expansion. The association notes that targeted resources and collaboration between various stakeholders are required to improve accessibility to vulnerable children. The AQCPE also support the government's intent to move towards a fully regulated family child care system. Finally, the AQCPE emphasizes that quality child care must be accompanied by qualified staff and on-going professional development in both centre- and home-based child care.
Mémoire de l’Association québécoise des centres de la petite enfance (AQCPE) [19]
Association québécoise des centres de la petite enfance (AQCPE), 1 June 2021
L'Association québécoise des centres de la petite enfance (AQCPE) presents its recommendations as part of the Quebec consultation on educational childcare services. The report emphasizes that Quebec must officially recognize the right of all children to quality early childhood educational services on a non-mandatory basis. It also highlights that parent preferences and quality research all point to the model of centres de la petite enfance (CPE) and family child care which are regulated and subsidized.
Joindre les enfants les plus vulnérables pour leur offrir des services [20]
Collectif petite enfance, June 2021
The Collectif petite enfance presents their recommendations regarding the barriers for families in general, and vulnerable families in particular, to access early childhood education services. Collectif petite enfance emphasizes on systemic barriers, more specifically the lack of collaboration between different government levels, between ministries and also between services.
Mémoire du Conseil québécois des services éducatifs à la petite enfance (CQSEPE) [21]
Conseil québécois des services éducatifs à la petite enfance (CQSEPE), June 2021
Le Conseil québécois des services éducatifs à la petite enfance (CQSEPE) presents their recommendations addressing (1) the lack of spaces, labour shortage, and access to subsidized child care; (2) admission policy, children with special needs, disadvantaged areas, one-stop access to child care services, and non-standard hour care; (3) promoting family child care; and (4) children in vulnerable situations and children with special needs.
Mémoire de l'Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ) [22]
Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ), 10 June 2021
L'Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ) presents their recommendations addressing: the need to create new quality subsidized spaces for all children in need; formal submission of space requirement estimation by municipalities; integrating child care services into new infrastructure projects and collaboration among departments and organizations; and professional recognition of the child care workforce.
Mémoire de la Fédération québécoise des municipalités (FQM) [23]
Fédération québécoise des municipalités (FQM), 17 June 2021
La Fédération québécoise des municipalités (FQM) recommends in particular facilitating the issuance of permits to projects supported by the community and municipality with the aim of granting greater flexibility and agility to the network. The Federation also emphasizes that up-to-date and precise data must be used to guide the development of new child care services where there are the needs. The report also calls for the establishment of a national committee to review the process of allocating and developing child care spaces in order to respond more quickly to the changing needs of the communities.
Mémoire de la Direction régionale de santé publique (DRSP) de Montréal [24]
Directrice régionale de santé publique (DRSP) de Montréal, 17 June 2021
La Directrice régionale de santé publique (DRSP) de Montréal presents their recommendations to improve child care services in Montreal and in Quebec as a whole. Key recommendations include: prioritize access to CPEs for children from low-income families and those having developmental challenges; support the partnership between child care services and integrated university health and social services centres; and reduce structural barriers to the development of CPEs through engaging municipalities and districts to integrate the development of child care centres in urban planning.
Mémoire de la Fédération québécoise des organismes communautaires du Québec (FQOCF) [25]
Fédération québécoise des organismes communautaires du Québec (FQOCF), 1 June 2021
The report by the Fédération québécoise des organismes communautaires du Québec (FQOCF) brings attention to solutions to increase access for families in vulnerable situations to drop-in centres (halte-garderies) and to various child care services. The recommendations also address non-standard care, networking between local organizations, workforce presence in the advisory committees, current lack of spaces and child care labour shortage.
Mémoire de la Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) [26]
Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ), 1 June 2021
In its report, the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) highlights that a thorough assessment of child care space coverage rate is crucial to address the shortage of child care spaces and its impact to the vitality and competitiveness of industries. The recommendations also mention the need to establish flexible hour child care to support workers with non-standard hours. In addition, the FCCQ includes recommendations regarding supporting the child care workforce and updating the salary scale, reducing administrative delays in building new child care centres, and use of federal transfer to ensure workers' access to affordable and quality child care services.
This page contains news articles, press release, and other media coverage of the consultation on educational childcare services conducted by the Government of Quebec between April and June 2021. Under the Further information section, you may find stories that are not directly linked to the consultation but may provide context and further insights into the process.
The majority of the information is available in French only; however, a translation tool [2] can be used to assist with the content. In addition, Google Chrome browers will automatically translate webpages [3].
Des parents réclament plus d’inclusion dans les garderies [27]
La Presse, 4 July 2021
Une consultation sur les services de garde éducatifs à l’enfance [28]
Observatoire des tout-petits, 18 June 2021
Les milieux défavorisés ont besoin de plus de places en CPE [29]
Le Devoir, 18 June 2021
Faire garder bébé au Cameroun pour pouvoir travailler à Québec? [30]
Le Soleil, 17 June 2021
Places en garderie : un guichet unique 2.0 [31]
Radio-Canada, 17 June 2021
200 millions $ pour créer des places en garderies en milieu familial [32]
Radio-Canada, 3 June 2021
Québec osera-t-il introduire le droit universel à une place en garderie? [33]
La Tribune, 30 May 2021
À la recherche de solutions pour créer des places en garderie [34]
Radio-Canada, 26 May 2021
Consultation sur les services de garde éducatifs à l'enfance - « Il faut une réforme rapide et vigoureuse », demande l'UMQ [35]
Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ), 17 June 2021
La FTQ présente son mémoire sur les services de garde éducatifs à l’enfance [36]
Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ), 16 June 2021
Manque de places en services de garde éducatifs à l’enfance : un recul majeur pour les femmes [37]
Réseau des groupes de femmes Chaudière-Appalaches (RGFCA), 31 May 2021
La qualité variable des services de garde [38]
Le Devoir, 14 June 2021
Services de garde: 18 500 signatures pour avoir des places rapidement [39]
Le Journal du Québec, 10 June 2021
Places en CPE: Le curieux aveu d'échec du ministre [40]
La Presse, 16 February 2021
Développement des CPE : les municipalités peuvent jouer un rôle [41]
Observatoire des tout-petits, 16 February 2021
Pénurie de places en services de garde: L'état de situation [42]
Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ), January 2021
Links
[1] http://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/travaux-parlementaires/projets-loi/projet-loi-1-42-2.html
[2] https://translate.google.com/
[3] https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/173424?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en
[4] https://childcarecanada.org/taxonomy/term/8985
[5] https://childcarecanada.org/category/tags/child-care-policy
[6] https://childcarecanada.org/taxonomy/term/9115
[7] http://www.assnat.qc.ca/fr/travaux-parlementaires/projets-loi/projet-loi-1-42-2.html
[8] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/child-care-news/22/04/adoption-du-projet-de-loi-no-1-le-qu%C3%A9bec-pourra-enfin-compl%C3%A9ter-son
[9] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/child-care-news/22/04/daycare-bill-gives-quebec-5-years-create-37000-spaces
[10] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/child-care-news/22/04/quebec-daycare-bill-be-passed-pq-vote-against
[11] https://www.mfa.gouv.qc.ca/en/services-de-garde/consultation/Pages/index.aspx
[12] https://www.mfa.gouv.qc.ca/fr/services-de-garde/consultation/Pages/index.aspx
[13] https://www.mfa.gouv.qc.ca/fr/publication/Documents/cahier-consultation-SGEE-ang.pdf
[14] https://www.mfa.gouv.qc.ca/fr/publication/Documents/cahier-consultation-SGEE.pdf
[15] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/research-policy-practice/21/10/act-amend-educational-childcare-act-improve-access
[16] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/research-policy-practice/21/10/plan-d%E2%80%99action-pour-compl%C3%A9ter-le-r%C3%A9seau-des-services-de
[17] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/research-policy-practice/21/10/p%C3%A9nurie-de-main-d%C5%93uvre-dans-les-centres-de-la-petite
[18] http://childcarecanada.org/documents/research-policy-practice/21/10/un-acc%C3%A8s-pour-toutes-les-familles%E2%80%A6enfin
[19] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/research-policy-practice/21/06/m%C3%A9moire-de-l%E2%80%99association-qu%C3%A9b%C3%A9coise-des-centres-de-la
[20] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/research-policy-practice/21/11/joindre-les-enfants-les-plus-vuln%C3%A9rables-pour-leur-offrir
[21] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/research-policy-practice/21/06/m%C3%A9moire-du-conseil-qu%C3%A9b%C3%A9cois-des-services-%C3%A9ducatifs-%C3%A0-la
[22] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/research-policy-practice/21/06/m%C3%A9moire-de-lunion-des-municipalit%C3%A9s-du-qu%C3%A9bec-umq
[23] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/research-policy-practice/21/06/m%C3%A9moire-de-la-f%C3%A9d%C3%A9ration-qu%C3%A9b%C3%A9coise-des-municipalit%C3%A9s-fqm
[24] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/research-policy-practice/21/06/m%C3%A9moire-de-la-direction-r%C3%A9gionale-de-sant%C3%A9-publique-drsp-de
[25] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/research-policy-practice/21/06/agir-en-pr%C3%A9vention-et-en-r%C3%A9ponse-aux-besoin-des-familles
[26] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/research-policy-practice/21/06/l%E2%80%99acc%C3%A8s-%C3%A0-des-services-de-garde-%C3%A9ducatifs-%C3%A0-l%E2%80%99enfance-pour
[27] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/child-care-news/21/07/des-parents-r%C3%A9clament-plus-d%E2%80%99inclusion-dans-les-garderies
[28] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/child-care-news/21/06/une-consultation-sur-les-services-de-garde-%C3%A9ducatifs-%C3%A0-l%E2%80%99enfance
[29] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/child-care-news/21/06/les-milieux-d%C3%A9favoris%C3%A9s-ont-besoin-de-plus-de-places-en-cpe
[30] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/child-care-news/21/06/faire-garder-b%C3%A9b%C3%A9-au-cameroun-pour-pouvoir-travailler-%C3%A0-qu%C3%A9bec
[31] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/child-care-news/21/06/places-en-garderie-un-guichet-unique-20
[32] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/child-care-news/21/06/200-millions-pour-cr%C3%A9er-des-places-en-garderies-en-milieu-familial
[33] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/child-care-news/21/06/qu%C3%A9bec-osera-t-il-introduire-le-droit-universel-%C3%A0-une-place-en
[34] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/child-care-news/21/06/%C3%A0-la-recherche-de-solutions-pour-cr%C3%A9er-des-places-en-garderie
[35] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/child-care-news/21/06/consultation-sur-les-services-de-garde-%C3%A9ducatifs-%C3%A0-lenfance-%C2%AB-il
[36] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/child-care-news/21/06/la-ftq-pr%C3%A9sente-son-m%C3%A9moire-sur-les-services-de-garde-%C3%A9ducatifs-%C3%A0-l
[37] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/child-care-news/21/06/manque-de-places-en-services-de-garde-%C3%A9ducatifs-%C3%A0-l%E2%80%99enfance-un-recul
[38] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/child-care-news/21/06/la-qualit%C3%A9-variable-des-services-de-garde
[39] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/child-care-news/21/06/services-de-garde-18-500-signatures-pour-avoir-des-places-rapidement
[40] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/child-care-news/21/06/places-en-cpe-le-curieux-aveu-d%C3%A9chec-du-ministre
[41] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/child-care-news/21/06/d%C3%A9veloppement-des-cpe-les-municipalit%C3%A9s-peuvent-jouer-un-r%C3%B4le
[42] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/research-policy-practice/21/06/p%C3%A9nurie-de-places-en-services-de-garde-l%C3%A9tat-de-situation