Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers responsible for Social Services

February  5, 2016 -  Edmonton, Alberta -  Federal,  Provincial and Territorial Social Services Ministers

Federal,  provincial and territorial social services ministers met today to discuss key  social issues  that matter to Canadians, such as reducing poverty, supporting high quality  early learning and child care services, improving  outcomes for Indigenous children and youth and removing and preventing barriers  for people with disabilities.

Ministers  discussed the importance of providing effective and innovative social  services, including social infrastructure, to respond to the diverse needs of Canadians. The meeting was the first opportunity for provinces and territories  to meet with the new federal government to begin working together on areas of  common interest, while respecting jurisdictional roles and responsibilities.  Ministers were united in their commitment to build on the work already underway  and to ensure that all  Canadians have a real and fair chance at success.

Ministers  shared  information and promising practices that  will support future  collaboration.  They agreed on the need to ensure federal initiatives are flexible and complement  provincial and territorial efforts to reduce poverty and to support children  and families and persons with disabilities. Ministers agreed on how to move  forward with discussions on a proposed early learning and child care framework.  They also committed to engaging Indigenous partners and other ministers, such  as the Minister responsible for Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, in  future discussions on how to reduce the number and overrepresentation of  Indigenous children and youth in care, building on the work done for Canada’s  Premiers.

Ministers  look forward to advancing  these discussions.

The  meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, federal Minister of Families, Children and  Social Development and the Honourable Irfan Sabir, Alberta Minister of Human  Services.

Quotes

"I am pleased  that the federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for social  services met and resumed constructive collaboration and dialogue. We are now  working together on social issues that are important to Canadians, and together  we will meet their social services needs across the country."
– The  Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social  Development

"I was  pleased to welcome my federal, provincial and territorial colleagues to  Alberta. We had a valuable opportunity to discuss social issues that have  significant impacts on our communities, develop a shared understanding of the  ways these issues affect our jurisdictions and set the stage for ongoing  collaboration between governments and Indigenous communities. I am pleased with  the progress we made together on issues such as poverty reduction, supporting  persons with disabilities and child care. I look forward to our next meeting  and future work to support the needs of Canadian families."
– The  Honourable Irfan Sabir, Alberta Minister of Human Services

- 30 -

Contacts

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter

Aaron Manton
aaron.manton@gov.ab.ca
780-668-1148
Press Secretary
Human Services