Child Care Coalition of Manitoba

On May 10th, Coalition Steering Committee member Dominique Arbez (ECEC professor at the Université de Saint-Boniface) is speaking at the Annual General Meeting of Réseau Action Femmes, Manitoba's francophone feminist group. Her talk ("Childcare services in french Manitoba") is available for viewing in PDF. Click to find out more information about Réseau Action Femmes, one of the Childcare Coalition of Manitoba's members.

Rethink Childcare is a national campaign designed to get Canadians thinking about childcare - and to remind them that there is a 'better way.' Visit the Rethink Childcare website for information and inspiration - and be sure to check out the video of parents voicing their many concerns about childcare.

International Women's Day 2013 is a good time to remember that childcare is essential for women's equality. The Coalition has issued a IWD 2013 Press release.pdf calling for political action on childcare,  asking why Manitoba families don't have the same kind of accessible affordable childcare that Quebec families do.

           For more reasons why childcare is a women's issue, you can read the wonderful blog entry by Martha Friendly and Shani Halfon of the Childcare Resource and Research Unit, who ask "Think childcare is no longer a women's issue? Think again."

The province of Manitoba has launched a poverty reduction and social inclusion strategy. Between now and March 27th, a series of public consulations will be held all over the province (including a francophone session). You can also make your voice heard by filling in the on-line survey.  You will find the draft strategy and its recommendations online. Be sure to note that childcare is included in the section on early childhood education and parenting supports.