Celebrate National Child Day, Op-Ed

NOTE: The following is an op-ed piece from Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse.

On Nov. 20, Nova Scotia will celebrate National Child Day, a day that highlights the rights of children and reminds us of the important role they play in society.

This year's National Child Day theme, The Right to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Health, couldn't be more appropriate for Nova Scotia. This past July 1, we became the first province in Canada to include comprehensive food and nutrition standards in our day care regulations. As both a parent and an MLA, I am exceptionally proud of this achievement.

Although child care centres have been serving healthy food for years, the new regulations and standards should make it easier for them to work within their food budget. They now have flexibility to change menus and take advantage of healthy food that's on sale or in season. The regulations spell out certain requirements, such as ensuring meals and snacks include servings from Canada's Food Guide. The new standards provide a lot more guidance on food and nutrition as well as the development of children's healthy perceptions of food.

Times have changed and we have more career options then ever before, which means more of us are deciding to go back into the workforce after we have children. Statistics show that 70 per cent of Nova Scotia's children have mothers who work out of the home. I see this as an opportunity to help the children who benefit from the nearly 16,000 spaces in Nova Scotia's regulated day cares and family-home day cares develop healthy eating habits. This will give them the best possible start in life.

Our children matter and that's why we'll continue to make wise investments, such as the almost $50 million this year, in early learning and child care for Nova Scotia families.

My colleagues across the provincial government and I have been working tremendously hard to ensure Nova Scotia's children get the best quality health care, education and nutrition available. We believe all children have the right to live, play and learn in a safe and healthy environment and this is something this government recognizes and acknowledges everyday.

We also understand that investing in early learning and child care will make life better for Nova Scotia families now and help us build a better tomorrow.

It is our job to foster, nurture and enable children to be active participants in their families and communities, and I encourage all of you to celebrate National Child Day on Nov. 20 with the children in your life.