Early Childhood Week drives home how much of an impact investing early in the well-being, safety and development of our children can have on building a fairer and more equitable society. I am proud to support this mission that puts children at the centre of our priorities.

Children’s development begins before birth. The earlier we start, the more equitable our future.

Investing in early childhood means allowing children to develop optimally over the long term. Doing so will create “renewable energy” and unprecedented growth for Quebec. Investing in children is also a momentous human, social and economic commitment. We could build a solid foundation for our young people’s future. We could increase our cross-sector and interdisciplinary collaborations. This investment would also let us dream... For better results on the 2027 QSCDK. For a spot at an early childhood centre for 30,000 children. For children to never grow up in run-down and substandard housing. For no more cuts to proven programs. For an end to the dramatic increase in DYP referrals. For the number of students with disabilities, social maladjustments or learning difficulties to no longer grow exponentially. For Quebec’s record dropout rate to come down. For so many unhoused youths to find homes. For staff to no longer provide services in silos. With the ultimate dream of making children the number-one priority in our society.

Protecting children’s rights and safeguarding the planet isn’t just a moral duty; it’s foundational to justice. It’s what will ensure the future of humankind. Becoming a mother gave me insight into this truth at a profoundly personal level and was pivotal in anchoring my career at the crossroads of human rights and environmental stewardship. Humanity is facing some serious existential threats. Short-term economic interests are systematically being prioritized over people’s well-being and the fundamental rights of children. We have to stand up for and defend the most vulnerable members of our society, and we have to do it now. Their survival and their dignity will shape the kind of world we become.

Early Childhood Week is celebrating 10 years of hard work to give every child an equal start. Congratulations on your incredible contribution! Over the past 17 years, I have worked every day to promote healthy lifestyles, as I truly believe that everything we do now will help build future generations that are healthy, confident and able to thrive. When we support children from their very first steps, we are making an impact on our entire future

For the past 20 years, I have been conducting research into the quality of educational childcare services and child development. The empirical data is clear: every child should have the right to good educational childcare. It’s the foundation for a fair, equitable and strong society.

What if… healthcare and education professionals could engage in open discussions, break down the silos that keep them apart and share what they know? What if… together, they could reach out to like-minded people eager to make a difference — grandparents, photographers, musicians, cabinetmakers, writers, uncles, farmers and more — and get them to share a little of their time and talent? What if… they invited all of these skilled, creative and imaginative people to join in the dance of supporting young children. The result would be a tremendous circle of movement and joy, with hundreds, even thousands, of voices raised in unison to support the youngest members of society. Together, we would take them by the hand and guide them toward the future. What if… this wasn’t an impossible dream, and the only thing we had to do was heed the call and follow along in step? What a wonderful place this country would be to grow up in…

Nearly 125,000 children receive nutritional support through Food Banks of Quebec. A child who doesn’t get enough to eat doesn’t have the same opportunities to learn and grow. We have to tackle food insecurity and ensure that hunger doesn’t stand in the way of children’s success.

We live in a world where children suffer from structural violence stemming from a global apartheid system in which a minority monopolizes wealth and power while exacerbating inequalities and destroying the ecosystems of our planet. Yet, we can act collectively by drawing on empathy, mutual aid and intergenerational solidarities without borders to ensure that no child is ever left behind. We have to work together to build a just and caring world to ensure that future generations, here and elsewhere, can flourish.