Canada

Over the past few years, children and families have come to be a key focus of public policy in Canada, and Ottawa and the provinces have actively sought to improve the circumstances of vulnerable children. Despite the major changes brought to Canadian family policy, there has been little attempt to look globally at the newly emerging family
policy and assess whether the picture is brighter for Canadian children, who are meant to be its main beneficiaries.

The IRPP invites you to a round table to discuss family policy and future options for Canadian families. This is a unique opportunity to share in an open discussion about poverty and early childhood education in Canada with a special focus on Quebec's innovative approach.


PRELIMINARY PROGRAM

THE GLASS ROOM

1:00 - 1:10 p.m.: Opening Remarks: Hugh Segal (President, IRPP)

1:10 - 2:15 p.m.: SESSION I - THE FIGHT AGAINST CHILD POVERTY
Chair: Hugh Segal (IRPP)
Philip Merrigan (UQAM)
Ken Battle (Caledon Institute on Social Policy)
Laurel Rothman (Campaign 2000)

2:15 - 2:45 p.m.: Question period

2:45 - 3:00 p.m.: Break


3:00 - 4:00 p.m.: SESSION II - CHILD CARE SERVICES AND PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION
Chair: Hugh Segal (IRPP)
Pierre Lefebvre (UQAM)
Gordon Cleveland (University of Toronto)
Christa Japel (UQAM)

4:00 - 4:30 p.m.: Question period

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.: Reception