Premier Pat Binns today tabled, in the Legislative Assembly, the Annual Report on Children 2001-2002, prepared by the Premier's Council on Healthy Child Development.
Premier Binns established the Council on Healthy Child Development in March 2001 as part of government's commitment to the Healthy Child Development Strategy. The Premier's Council on Healthy Child Development brings together Islanders who have a wealth of diverse experience and expertise in child development.
"The indicators included in this report provide us with a good baseline to measure further progress towards improving outcomes for Prince Edward Island children," Premier Binns noted. "With these measures, we can identify strengths and determine where we need to focus our energy in the coming years."
"It is encouraging to see that Prince Edward Island children are shown to be doing well compared to the Canadian average, or are improving," Premier Binns said.
The report indicates that the quality of life for Island children is making steady progress relative to other jurisdictions:
• Prince Edward Island has a low incidence rate of childhood vaccine-preventable diseases.
• The incidence of low-birth weight babies (weighing under 2,500 grams, or 5 pounds 8 ounces at birth) is low.
• The rate of breast feeding in Prince Edward Island is lower than the Canadian average, but is improving.
• A high percentage of Island children are read to by an adult daily.
• Rates of parental depression are lower in Prince Edward Island than the Canadian average.
• Prince Edward Island has a high level of community cohesion, which support our children and families.
David Harper, Chair of the Premier's Council on Healthy Child Development, is impressed with the high degree of collaboration between the Binns government and the community.
"The Council is pleased with the wide array of initiatives that support children and families across the Island," he said. "It is apparent that Islanders are committed to their children and are willing to work together to ensure the best possible outcomes for their children."
The Premier's Council on Healthy Child Development releases the Annual Report in order to report to Islanders on the progress of PEI's Healthy Child Development Strategy and to fulfill the reporting requirements agreed to by First Ministers as part of the 2000 Early Childhood Development Initiative.