8. New thinking for new challenges

Canadians agree that we need a new discourse about the role of government in helping families address the highly complex challenges they face in providing their children with opportunity and security. Yet efforts on behalf of children are taking place against a backdrop of intensifying demand, increasing complexity and taxpayer fatigue. Doing more of the same will not deliver the scale and nature of the changes needed. Moreover, attempts at reform along single departmental or professional lines often give rise to unintended consequences. Narrow thinking about policy solutions can alleviate one need, while exacerbating others.

Real integration demands new ways of thinking— a system-wide approach with new measures of success and new resources that include the energy and ideas of citizens, communities and experts. Early childhood program integration needs to move beyond pilot projects and be brought to centre stage.

Next: 9. Influencing policy change