The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Let‘s celebrate our future on National Child Day On Nov. 20, celebrate National Child Day. Celebrate Canadian children. In 1993, the Government of Canada designated Nov. 20 as National Child Day to comâ€" memorate the United Nations‘ adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Chuld on Nov 20, 1959 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child on Nov 20, 1989 Since the UN adopted the Convention 10 years ago, it has been signed or ratfied by more countries than any other interâ€" national treaty. That‘s worth celebrating! What we also want to celeâ€" brate is what our children mean to us: they are our future How well we prepare them now will determine the kind of future they will have in the new millennrum. Parents are the most important element in raising healthy children. But with the changing nature of the workplace, it is becoming more difficult to balance work and family. Increasingly, we underâ€" stand that parents might need extra help. We must start by underâ€" standing more about our chilâ€" dren‘s needs. That‘s why the Government of Canada is funding a survey that tracks the stages of life of 23,000 Canadian children. We‘ve also looked at numerous other studies on early childhood development. What leading academics and those studies are telling us is that the first six years are the most crucial for our children‘s future health, and for developing learning abilities and social behavior. The reality though is that too many children in lowâ€"income families don‘t get what they need in those first six years. Too many Canadian children fall below the poverty line And too many Canadian chilâ€" dren don‘t feel safe and secure. Parents do all they can to provide their childten with safe, stimulating and nurturing environments in which to learn and grow. Few issues matter more to them than ensuring their children get off to a good start in life. There is no question that Canadians consider our chilâ€" dren a priority. That‘s why by July of 2000, the Government of Canada will be investing over $9 bilâ€" LEE l E aric Q; dbl(’rc} Mon Wed 9â€"5. Thurs. & Fr. 9â€"8, Sat. 10â€"4 FACTORY SHOWROOM 21 Allen St. W. 585â€"1000 lion annually in programs and services for children Familyâ€"related programs including Health Canada‘s Community Action Program for Children, which funds community groups to set up and deliver services that address the development needs of atâ€"risk children between 0 and six years of age. This proâ€" gram helps approximately 20000 Canadians a year. Or Health Canada‘s Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program, designed to provide nutrition counselling, support, referral and counseling on lifestyle issues to pregnant women who are most likely to have unhealthy babies. And that‘s not all. Recently, Prime Minister Jean Chétien made a commitâ€" ment to Canadian parents to expand Employment Insurâ€" ance benefits for maternity and parental leave by January 2001. Extending the time from the current six months to one full year for parents to nurture their children can help Canaâ€" dian parents balance work and ~ CASH > °~ Getyour ** Tax Tefund _ Contact our office. /,cf_fi You may be eligible for an earlflw € ; se Preâ€"Christmas L. _ _f . cummm > ARCTTI â€" See us now! 259 King Street West (Downtown) *2a ° * ~ Getvour * before Christ[fl“; «_ Some restrictions mayepply | a Refund in 5 hours or less (0h Fine Home Furnishé in Uptown Waterloo _ "We‘re more than just tables and chairs!" 743â€"4313 * Livingroom Suites * Bedroom Suites * Kitchen & Dining Sets * Chairs * Office Furniture * Lamps * Bar & Kitchen Counter Stools * Home Accents The Prime Minister also recently commutted a third sigâ€" nificant investment to the National Child Benefit. We‘ve been helping Canadian famiâ€" lies through this insuative by providing increased federal benefits directly to families with net incomes below $27,750 through the Canada Child Tax Benefit ‘‘*> Minimum .‘ Refund $100 family responsibiliuies As of July 2000, these beneâ€" fits will be available to families with net incomes below $29 590. For children in lowâ€"income famthes, this money makes a difference. The extra money helps cover the costs of groâ€" ceries, offset the cost of wear and tear on children‘s clothing, ot cover the cost of recreational activities for children. For their part, the provincial and territorial governments, and First Nations are expandâ€" ing services and benefits for lowâ€"income families like preâ€" natal nutrition classes, subsiâ€" dized child care, and prescription drug coverage. The Government of Canada IWW.HRBLO We want to work together on what is the highest priority of Canadians .. our children Giving children the best start in life is the best investment we can make in Canada‘s furure Raising healthy, secure and wellâ€"loved children requires that parents get the support they need from communities, employers and their governâ€" ments has also been working with provincial and terntonial govâ€" ernments on a National Chilâ€" dren‘s Agenda This National Child Day, let‘s think about how we can all work together to ensure a prosâ€" perous future for our children. Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada ADVERTISERS appreciate it when you tell them ... 1 saw your ad in the Chronicle. ParneEss CGlLassics Our personnel are available in the mornings, afternoons. and evenings For a free brochure outlinung our rates and services call