About CCAAC

Where have we come from?

The Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada (CCAAC) arose from the second Canadian conference on Child Care held in Winnipeg in 1982. Over 700 delegates from all Provinces and Territories called for an effective voice to pursue child care issues at the federal level and to promote a broad consensus of support within all regions of Canada.

What do we stand for?

We are a pan-Canadian, non-profit, membership-based organization dedicated to promoting quality child care accessible to all.

The CCAAC works for:

  • Child care as a cornerstone of progressive family policies.
  • The right of all children to access a child care system supported by public funds.
  • A child care system that is comprehensive, inclusive, accessible, affordable, high quality and non-profit.
  • A range of child care services for children birth to 12 years.

To achieve our goals, CCAAC:

  • Initiates activities and mobilizes public support for a pan-Canadian child care system.
  • Develops policy solutions to child care issues; present briefs and submissions to elected representatives and governments.
  • Partners in initiatives to raise the public profile of child care as a political issue and to promote broad support for our vision for child care. We work collaboratively with provincial/territorial child care organizations, social justice organizations and government representatives.

What is our structure?

The Association has a broad base of support and features:

  • a membership base of individuals, families, child care programs, regional and pan-Canadian groups and organizations; 
  • a regional representative Board of Directors (one director elected from the membership in each province and territory);
  • a Council of Child Care Advocates; and
  • a central office in Ottawa.

To read our Moving Forward Together report (1999), download the PDF in English / en français.

Annual Reports

  • 2005-2006
    • Annual Report 2006 – Download PDF
    • Rapport Annuel 2006 – Téléchargez PD
  • 2004-2005
    • Annual Report 2005 – Download PDF
    • Rapport Annuel 2005 – Téléchargez
  • 2003-2004
    • Annual Report 2004 – Download PDF
    • Rapport Annuel 2004 – Téléchargez PDF
  • 2001-2002 – English/francais (PDF)

What do we do?

Public Education:

  • Prepare regular information bulletins, fact sheets, background papers, information kits and briefs on child care issues.
  • Present workshops and speak at conferences across Canada.
  • Develop proposals for government action.
  • Partner in various initiatives with Child Care Human Resources Round Table, Campaign 2000, Canadian Child Care Federation and Rural Voices.

Political Action:

  • Organize CCAAC activities and work collaboratively with other pan-Canadian organizations to:
    • raise the public profile of child care as a political issue; and
    • promote broad support for our vision for child care.
  • Initiate campaigns supporting a pan-Canadian child care system.
  • Advocate specific solutions to child care issues and problems through briefs, submissions to federal government and lobbying of all major federal parties.

Some advocacy activities and projects:

  • Sponsoring Parent Voices, a project to bring parents together to make the case for quality, affordable and accessible child care.
  • Co-sponsorship with Canadian Child Care Federation of a pan-Canadian poll on public perceptions of quality child care.
  • Response to federal government and open letter to premiers on Multilateral Framework on Early Learning and Child Care.
  • Parent Voices “Send an urgent letter” campaign to Hon. Jane Stewart supporting a new agreement on child care.
  • The Memo to Manley campaign calling on advocates to send a clear message to federal Finance Minister, Hon. John Manley, that it’s time to make child care a priority in the federal budget for 2003/2004.
  • Submission on child care to 2002 pre-budget consultation, and Parent Voices Pre-Budget Watch.
  • Response to 2002 Speech from the Throne on child care issues.
  • Not Nearly Enough! campaign on the inadequacy of the 2001 Early Childhood Development Agreement
  • Sign On! for Canada’s Kids campaign.
  • Lobbying around the National Children’s Agenda.