An Open Letter from the Royal College to Canada's Political Leaders

OTTAWA, June 26, 2015 /CNW/ -

Our nation's future rests in our future generations. 

The early childhood or 'the early years' is the most important developmental phase of life in which crucial advancements in physical, social, cognitive, emotional and language domains take place.

It is for this reason that the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada issued a Position Statement on Early Childhood Development. It was developed with national experts from a number of organizations including the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Paediatric Society, the Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres, the Paediatric Chairs of Canada, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, and the Human Early Learning Partnership.

The statement offers 15 actionable steps for governments, educators, professional organizations and health care providers themselves. These actions will yield benefits throughout life that are worth many times the original investment.

Science shows that investing early in children, and the families and communities around them, is more cost-effective than trying to correct the illnesses and lost productivity that arise later.

By better understanding and supporting parents and child development, we will make our communities stronger, improve health and reduce the burden on our health-care system. We hope that the Royal College's position statement will inform your work as it lays a path that leads to a better future for our children and, ultimately, for our country. 

We hope you will feel free to contact the Royal College and its network of experts to support your efforts in the development of sound health and public policy moving forward.   

Sincerely,

Kevin Imrie, MD, FRCPC, FACP
Royal College President

Andrew Padmos, MD, FRCPC, FACP
Royal College CEO

SOURCE Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Tom McMillan, Senior communications specialist, Communications and External Relations [email protected], T: 613-730-8177 ext. 474 | Cell: 613-218-9570