November 30, 2020—Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada applauds the federal government’s immediate investments and strategic, long-term planning detailed in today’s Fall Economic Statement (FES). The FES focuses on several vital priorities that will support children, youth, and families now and as we look ahead to economic and social recovery:

• Childcare—As a leading provider of safe, high-quality, and accessible childcare and child and youth programs, we fully support the staged approach to building a national childcare system that prioritizes child development, the employment of women who are mothers, as well as the primarily female and racialized Canadians who work in the child care sector. Clubs champion the creation of a Federal Secretariat on Early Learning and Child Care and the workforce investments and will continue to work closely with all levels of government to support a high-quality, flexible, and accessible childcare system that fully engages the work of non-profit providers.
• Youth Employment—Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada also welcomes the significant new investment, and the continued flexibility, of the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program and the broader Youth Employment and Skills Strategy. Youth, especially those who have multiple and intersecting barriers, need support to prepare for and secure meaningful employment, especially in this extremely difficult labour market. Allowing part-time positions and job placement end dates outside of the summer months will support vulnerable youth in accessing this program, while providing employers the flexibility they need. We continue to voice our support for the transformation of the Canada Summer Jobs program to a year-round Youth Jobs Program.
• Housing—Through providing housing assistance and transitional housing, our Clubs see firsthand the importance of a Housing First strategy and welcome the significant added investment in the Rapid Housing Initiative.
• Direct Support for Families—Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada supports the federal government’s commitment to provide up to $1,200 for families with children under the age of 6 who qualify for the Canada Child Benefit, supporting those who need it most. We will continue to work with the federal government to ensure that all low-income families have access to the Canada Child Benefit.
• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)—Boys and Girls Clubs across the country have benefited from the CEWS and we thank the Government of Canada for the proposed extension and raising of the wage subsidy rate.

“The impacts of COVID-19 on children, youth, and families have been significant and uneven; too many families are struggling, and young people are experiencing unprecedented stresses and barriers. We applaud the federal government for further investing in Canada’s next generation and we are happy to see significant commitments that support children, youth, communities, and families.”

—Owen Charters, President & CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada

###

Media contact:

Jared Morrow, Media Relations Manager
jmorrow@bgccan.com
647.928.5801