The first session of United Way's Public Policy Institute was held yesterday in Vancouver. Former BC premier Mike Harcourt is the lead faculty member of the institute. Harcourt said he chose to become involved in the nonprofit, nonpartisan institute because the complexity of social and economic issues today demands that government and non-profits work together to better understand each others' worlds.

Community leaders from all sectors who support investment in early childhood will be making this an issue at upcoming elections in BC. United Way of the Lower Mainland has added its voice to raise the profile of early childhood investment issues with provincial party leadership candidates.