On behalf of the Early Childhood Working Group, CCICY, letters of congratulation were sent on Nov 17/08 to the newly named Ontario ministers of Citizenship and Immigration (The Honourable Michael Chan) and Children and Youth Services (The Honourable Deb Matthews).
On December 8, Minister Chan’s response to our letter was posted on the blog. It brings me great pleasure to inform you that Minister Matthews has also now written. Click the image below to read the letter from Minister Matthews.
Ontario members of the Canadian Coalition for Immigrant Children and Youth: We should accept the Minister’s invitation and propose a meeting.
Who would like to be involved in organizing this? We will need someone to contact the Minister’s office, propose an agenda and connect with Ontario members. Is anyone interested?
I’ve talked with one person and will be talking to another on Monday. Here’s the list of topics (so far) we think we might raise with the Minister at our meeting with her:
– benefits of (more and better) child care for immigrant children and families
– internationally trained ECEs (and ability to support newcomer children in maintaining their home language)
– importance of research on immigrant/refugee families.
Other ideas? Other interest in getting involved – either planning or attending?
Let me know!