Good afternoon.

I’m very pleased to be in Truro today to announce investments of almost 45 million dollars over the next eight years that will make child care in Nova Scotia better, more inclusive and more accessible.

One of my government’s five key priorities is educating to compete. We believe the opportunity for education should be available in the early years–the years that are so instrumental to a child’s development.

It is our responsibility as a government to help our youngest citizens reach their full potential.

That’s why we are moving today to give more Nova Scotia families access to licensed child care.

We’re changing how we deliver subsidized child care by making child care more affordable for more families.

We’re also creating more child care opportunities for children with special needs, through a 24 million dollar investment in the Supported Child Care Grant.

This funding will be used to hire additional staff, to train care givers in the delivery of inclusive programs and to buy educational and resource material used in the program.

We are fortunate in Nova Scotia to have high quality child care programs.

This is due largely to the dedicated individuals who work at our child care centres.

Their efforts give children a strong educational foundation upon which they can build their academic careers.

Today, we are announcing two initiatives – the Early Childhood Education Assistance Program and an expansion of the Child Care Operating Grant – that will make it easier for child care centres to recruit and retain the staff that plays such a fundamental role in the lives of young people.

They will also provide financial support to people who are interested in a career in Early Child Education.

These initiatives – together with the important work of child care providers – are giving our youngest Nova Scotians a great start. Together we are preparing our children for the bright and fulfilling future they deserve.

Thank you.