Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

Op-ed: More Child Care Spaces Support Families And Strengthen Economy

Premier John Horgan, 12 Jul, 2019 06:33 PM

    When I think about what child care means for families in B.C., I think of all the patchwork calendars stuck to fridges across the province telling the child care story of each household. The mother-in-law, the uncle and the best friend are on deck this week, and dad will have to leave work early next week. It’s a puzzle of names, dates and times that only the family can understand.

     

    For too long, child care has been so unaffordable and inaccessible that families have been forced to piece together care within their own networks. With the rising costs of housing, transportation and other monthly expenses, and the longer and longer waitlists for child care spaces, families have been making sacrifices to give their children the care they need.

     

    Every parent and caregiver in British Columbia wants to give their child the best start in life. Families who have affordable, quality child care are often able to build their careers, have more quality time with their children and get ahead with their finances. No matter the circumstance, every parent deserves peace of mind knowing that their child is getting safe, quality and affordable care.

     

    Our government is committed to making universal child care a reality in B.C. We are making the most significant investment in child care in B.C.’s history – $1.3 billion over three years – to help families find a way forward each month.

     

    On July 4, we announced, in partnership with the City of Vancouver, that approximately 2,300 new child care spaces are coming to public spaces across the city. The plan will add licensed child care spaces to schools, libraries and community centres.

     

    By partnering with public sector organizations and local governments, we can quickly add child care spaces where they are needed. It gives parents access to multiple services in one convenient location, strengthens communities and provides generations of kids an easy transition from daycare to school.

     

    The City of Vancouver has been forward-thinking in its approach to creating child care spaces. I look forward to working with other local governments in partnership to bring child care to the families in their communities.

     

    These new spaces are all part of our government’s three-year commitment to support the creation of 22,000 new licensed child care spaces around B.C. Already, we’ve funded more than 8,000 new licensed child care spaces across the province, with more spaces announced every month.
    Child care providers can apply for funding to create new child care spaces at any time during the year, through our Childcare BC New Spaces Fund. There are also start-up grants to support unlicensed providers with the costs of becoming licensed and caring for more children.

     

    As we create new spaces in all corners of the province, we are also working on making child care more affordable. Our Child Care Fee Reduction is saving families up to $350 per child, per month for eligible child care spaces. As of July 2019, more than 54,000 spaces are eligible for a fee reduction.
    Our Affordable Child Care Benefit is already saving parents up to $1,250 per month or $15,000 per year, per child. More than 80,000 families are eligible for support with their monthly child care costs through this benefit.

     

    Between the Child Care Fee Reduction and the Affordable Child Care Benefit, almost 18,000 children in B.C. have accessed child care for a daily cost of $10 or less. This includes 7,500 children from low-income households whose families are now paying nothing at all for child care. That’s not including approximately 2,900 children who are attending one of our 53 universal child care prototype sites, where families are paying a maximum of $200 per month, per child.

     

    Our government looks at quality, affordable child care as a social policy and an economic one. It gives children the chance to play, learn and grow in a safe and supportive environment. For parents and caregivers, it means the chance to work and build a career, with the peace of mind that their children are cared for.

     

    Our universal child care plan is part of our commitment to the people of British Columbia – especially young people – that we will do everything we can to bring down barriers to their success. Investing in child care makes our province stronger. That’s good for people, good for communities and good for the economy.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Ayanle Hassan Ali Who Attacked Military Personnel Should Be Deemed Terrorist: Crown

    Ayanle Hassan Ali was charged with attempted murder, assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon, as well as carrying a weapon, all for the benefit of a terrorist group in connection with the March 2016 knife attack.

    Ayanle Hassan Ali Who Attacked Military Personnel Should Be Deemed Terrorist: Crown

    Aviation Experts Question Security, Passenger Safety After Woman Left On Plane

    Aviation Experts Question Security, Passenger Safety After Woman Left On Plane
    Aviation experts are raising security and passenger safety concerns after a woman was left sleeping on a parked Air Canada aircraft with the lights turned off and crew gone.

    Aviation Experts Question Security, Passenger Safety After Woman Left On Plane

    Court Ruling Reveals Grim Details Of Lionel Desmond Suicide And Murders

     A court fight over life insurance has revealed for the first time disturbing details about how former Canadian soldier Lionel Desmond fatally shot his mother, wife and daughter before taking his own life in the family's home in rural Nova Scotia in early 2017.

    Court Ruling Reveals Grim Details Of Lionel Desmond Suicide And Murders

    Six-Year-Old Girl Injured After Falling Off Float In Alberta Parade

    Six-Year-Old Girl Injured After Falling Off Float In Alberta Parade
    The mayor of a town in east-central Alberta says a six-year-old girl was seriously injured in a parade over the weekend.  

    Six-Year-Old Girl Injured After Falling Off Float In Alberta Parade

    Liberals Promise $13M For Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women Commemorations

    Funding for the commemorations will come from a $13-million fund Monsef unveiled today in Winnipeg.    

    Liberals Promise $13M For Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women Commemorations

    PICS: Crowds Gather As Massive Pride Parade Takes Over Downtown Toronto

    Toronto was abuzz on Sunday as a colourful crowd lined downtown streets to celebrate all things LGBTQ at the city's annual Pride parade.    

    PICS: Crowds Gather As Massive Pride Parade Takes Over Downtown Toronto