This page will consist of a description of the relevant stakeholders and advocacy groups within the policy landscape, such as the academic sector, the parents of students, Canadian agencies and official language commissions. This page will also provide an in depth analysis on how these stakeholders advocate for high quality ECE, their demands from provincial /territorial governments, and their own policy initiatives.

How is the academic sector unique?

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The academic sector of Canada is comprised of each province/territory’s Department or Ministry of Education (and Childhood Learning). The federal government has given full authority to the provinces/territories to structure their education systems to their best advantage meaning there is no federal Ministry of Education. This in turn demonstrates that many stakeholders and advocacy groups are closely connected to the provincial and territorial governments.

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• For more info on the academic sector and its roles click on Provincial/territorial comparisons

Language commissions:

With Canada being a Bilingual Country it is important for both official languages to be equally available for children in Early Learning. Many parents have advocated for learning in French to be much more incorporated within the school curriculum and the “Commission nationale des parents francophones (CNPF)” has put together an official website where francophone parents can come together and voice how they hope to promote this.

• The purpose of their website is to connect all francophone parents together, especially those living in rural areas in Winnipeg, Ontario and Québec.

Research based resources and organizations:

Many non-profit research based organizations help promote the affordable, high quality early education the provincial governments strive for. These resources and agencies help collect data on the effectiveness of ECE frameworks and use public polls to ask parents how their child’s education is being impacted. A report from the Edmonton Early Council for Learning and Care about the Flexibility of ECE described the parents views:

• “44% of parents found it difficult to access their child’s educational needs, particularly in kindergarten, as it conflicted with their own schedules.”
• “The provincial government should strategize on making ELCC schedules more flexible while not abandoning affordability and quality.”
• “The provincial government should gather more intel from parents to ensure that ELCC programs are flexible to the majority of the population.”

Children First Canada:

• Children First Canada is an non-profit organization that focuses on the right to education for each student. Their work is predominantly research and advocacy based as they strive to unite children nation-wide using their charity based funding.

College of Early Childhood Educators (ON):

• Established in 2009, the College of Early Childhood Educators is the only professional and self regulated agency for ECE in Canada. It’s purpose is to enforce the guidelines and standards of education from its workers to its learning frameworks. Overall it focuses on education from an ethical standpoint and advocates for child safety and growth.

Schools, Early Learning Centres and Teachers:

• Schools and Early Learning centres are one of the most influential players in the advocacy for high quality education. Teachers, early educators, principles and coaches play a direct key role in shaping the kind of education a child receives.
• Teachers also play a key role in incorporating diversity and inclusion directly into the classroom.