Denise Savoie
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SAVOIE LEADS DEBATE ON EARLY LEARNING AND CHILD CARE ACT
OTTAWA – NDP MP Denise Savoie (Victoria) today led debate on Bill C-303 (Early Learning and Childcare Act), a private members’ bill that, if passed, would enshrine a national child care program in legislation.
“One of the things voters told me about over and over during last winter’s election campaign was their need for more affordable, accessible, quality child care,” said Savoie.
“I’ve also spoken with local child care providers and advocates and they’ve told me how frustrating it is for them to not be able to offer more help to parents who desperately need spaces for their children. In many cases, waiting lists for child care are so long that providers can’t even give parents an accurate estimate of when there will be a space available for their child. This is no way to support families or women’s equal participation in the workforce.”
“That’s why I was so proud today to debate this bill for the first time,” Savoie said.
A national child care program is necessary because early learning and child care is in disarray in Canada. There are no consistent standards across the country for availability, accessibility or affordability.
Rob Fleming, NDP MLA for Victoria-Hillside, said that the cancellation of the national agreement on child care is making things even worse. “BC’s chronic shortage of quality, affordable child care is a pressing issue for today’s working families. The lack of child care is costing our economy through decreased workforce participation and opportunities for skills training for working parents.”
“We have a chance to move forward.” said Savoie. “Rather than just allowing the Conservative government to continue on its disastrous and short-sighted path, we can demand that they affirm a Canadian commitment to early learning and childcare. This bill maps out the course. It provides an opportunity to move forward after years of false starts and setbacks under the Mulroney Conservatives, four Liberal governments, and now the Harper Conservatives”.