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Budget 2014 is the Manitoba government’s plan to create good jobs and grow Manitoba’s economy – while protecting the frontlines of services that families count on.

Investing in our children and our schools is one of our government’s top priorities. With the challenging financial situation that we face, we must ensure that we get maximum value from every dollar we invest in our learning system. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s (EECD) budget is increasing by one per cent in 2014-2015.

Excerpt: "Across Canada it is a familiar scene, parents lined up in the cold to get their kids into a preferred slot at a preschool. Whether motivated by a desire to give their child a head start for school or the need for care so they can work, the challenge is the same - too many children for too few good spots. But in the Northwest Territories the scene is changing. Publicly funded schools are filling the breach."

To restore fiscal balance in 2015-2016-Program spending growth is being held at 2% in 2014-2015 and the following two years. Our actions: Improve the quality and efficiency of public services: implement patient-based funding in the health network; continue to seek efforts from public bodies to manage their spending; reassess the organizational efficiency and delivery methods of public services over five years. Ensure the funding of public services: gradually raise parents’ contribution to daycare services; review the sharing of costs of university education for students from outside Québec. Continue to fight corruption and tax evasion.

Excerpt: "Families in Winnipeg, St. Andrews and Oak Lake will have greater access to some of the best, most affordable licensed child care in Canada with the creation of more than 250 new child-care spaces at four new centres and one existing site, Education and Advanced Learning Minister James Allum announced today."

In Budget 2010 the Government committed to work with First Nations to develop options, including new legislation, to improve the governance framework and clarify accountability for First Nations elementary and secondary education. In 2011, the Government and the Assembly of First Nations launched a National Panel, which made a number of recommendations for reforming First Nations education in its February 2012 report. In response to the Panel’s report, the Government is working with partners to introduce a First Nation Education Act and have it in place for September 2014. The purpose of this legislation is to establish the structures and standards to support strong and accountable education systems on reserve. This will set the stage for more positive education outcomes for First Nations children and youth. The Government will also work to explore mechanisms to ensure stable, predictable and sustainable funding for First Nations elementary and secondary education.

An action plan outlining the Government’s future priorities for programs and funding.

Excerpt: "The new Provincial Office for the Early Years will focus on the needs of families with children up to age six and help ensure they have easy access to a range of early-years services no matter where they live in B.C., announced Minister of Children and Family Development Stephanie Cadieux at the UBC Early Years Conference in Vancouver."

The Government of Manitoba acknowledges the failure of the child welfare system to protect Phoenix Sinclair and will immediately act on the recommendations of the Hughes inquiry and continue strengthening protections for children in Manitoba, Family Services Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross said today.

Presented by Zeenat Janmohamed, Atkinson Centre, at the Atkinson Centre Early Years Task Force meeting, January 29, 2014.

Presented by Emis Akbari, Atkinson Centre, at the Atkinson Centre Early Years Task Force meeting, January 29, 2014.

Presented by Kerry McCuaig, Atkinson Centre, at the Atkinson Centre Early Years Task Force meeting, January 29, 2014.