As child care practitioners and as citizens, we have a collective responsibility to speak out against child poverty, and to do what we can to eradicate it in Canada. We know the ingredients which promote healthy child development, and we know that child poverty is not one of them. In our day to day work we develop environments designed to enrich the opportunities and experiences available to children, and know that if a child is hungry, tired, or ill they will not be able to take full advantage of that environment. Knowing this in our day to day work gives us insight as to why it is so important that all children in Canada are provided with experiences and opportunities which will contribute fully to their healthy development . Since 1989, the number of poor children in Canada has increased by 428,000.
Children are poor because their families are poor.
Speak out for increased supports to families in the form of job creation programs, services, housing and child care. We know that the earliest possible intervention is most effective and least costly . Child care practitioners are in a position to affect a dramatic change on Canada's children and particularly children in poverty. In an address to child care practitioners , he acknowledged that child care practitioners who provide high-quality programs contribute significantly to the health system, the justice system, the education system and the economic system. Their work with children has great benefit to society.