The Accord on Early Learning and Early Childhood Education was launched on June 2, 2013, during the annual conference of the Canadian Society for the Study of Education at the University of Victoria. The event opened with a Congress Big Thinking lecture, entitled “Getting it Right from the Start,” delivered by the Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, Chair of the Margaret & Wallace McCain Family Foundation. The lecture was followed by a panel discussion entitled “Public Perspectives on Early Learning” and hosted by ACDE President and UBC Dean of Education Dr. Blye Frank. Panel members included Dr. Kathleen Flanagan, Dr. Myer Horowitz, O.C., Ms. Patsy McKinney, Dr. Alan Pence, and Dr. Joanne Schroeder. The Accord was signed during a reception following the panel.

The Accord on Early Learning and Early Childhood Education was authored by Dr. Ann Sherman, Dean of Education at the University of New Brunswick, Dr. James McNinch, Dean of Education at the University of Regina, and Dr. Kimberly Franklin, Dean of Education at Trinity Western University.