Post on 18-Dec-2015
The State of Childcare Advocacy in Canada
Brooke RichardsonPh.D. Candidate, Policy Studies
Ryerson University
Research TeamInvestigating Professionalism as a Canadian
Child Care Movement Strategy in an Era of Neoliberalism
Current researcher team: Dr.Rachel Langford, Ryerson UniversityDr. Patrizia Albanese, Ryerson University Dr. Susan Prentice, University of ManitobaBrooke Richardson, Ph.D., student, Ryerson
UniversityLyndsay Macdonald, M.A. student, Ryerson
UniversityEllisha Blair, Undergraduate student, Ryerson
University
Outline of PresentationDefine social movements and social
movement organizations (SMO)Review the current state of childcare SMOs
in CanadaIdentify the key childcare advocacy players
over timeDescribe current research projects
Do we have a national childcare movement in Canada?
Defining a “social movement”“Collectives acting with some degree of
organization and continuity outside of institutional or organizational channels for the purpose of challenging or defending extant authority, whether it is institutionally or culturally based, in the group, organization society, culture, or world order of which they are a part” (Snow et al, 2007, p.11)
European conceptualization of Social Movements“Social movements are a distinct social
process, consisting of the mechanisms through which actors engage in collective action” (della Porta & Diani, p.20).
Social Movement Organizations (SMOs)ProfessionalGrassrootsChild Care Resource and Research Unit?Child Care Human Resource Sector Council?
“Smoke and mirrors”Childcare SMOs have faced extreme
defunding and deprofessionalization since 2006
Number of employees in national SMOs over time CCCF CCAAC
2005 22 6
2013 2.5 0
Not all doom and gloom…ECEBC and CCABC partnered for the
$10/day program in BC which appears to be putting childcare back onto the political agenda in BC
Most provinces now have FDK Quebec’s $7/day program
Key players over timePlayer Historically Now
Women’s groups Founders of the movement
Marginal role (few women’s organizations left)
Grassroots SMOs Central player Largely defunded
Professional SMOs Established mainly in the 70s and 80s Somewhat separate
More a part of the broader movement – still have a more narrow mandate
Unions Key ally and partner Largely sustaining the movement
Academics A handful...mostly on child development/social work side
Asking critical questions More in political science
Charitable Foundations Minimal to no role Behind the scenesSustaining several childcare SMOs, contracts
Current Research Project1. Policy Frames2. Contentious politics3. Collective Identity4. Childcare through a gendered lens
ConclusionAlthough this is certainly a very challenging
time for the national childcare movement, the movement is still alive
Provinces have taken significant strides in this arena
We can talk this afternoon about how to reignite or reenergize the movement