Vancouver City Council approved the following motion on March 2, 2006

Agenda item # 4

WHEREAS:

1. The City of Vancouver has a long tradition of providing leadership in the development and support of licensed, non-profit child care.
2. The previous federal government committed almost $5 billion over 5 years to establish a national child care program, of which $633 million was to come to BC.
3. The current federal government promised to rip up these agreements in March of 2007.
4. The current federal government is replacing the national child care plan with individual payments to families with children that are in fact taxable family bonuses and will do nothing to further develop a national child care program.
5. The suggested bonus of $1200 a year will cover just over one months cost for children under 18 months.
6. There is a lack of facilities for younger children, including those with parents who can afford to pay for child care.
7. The provincial government has been slow to raise opposition to this plan, despite very public concern expressed by other provinces, families and the child care community.

Therefore be it resolved:

1. THAT Council acknowledge that the primary responsibility for funding and administering comprehensive child care programs rests with senior levels of government.
2. THAT Council affirm its commitment to work cooperatively and in partnership with the provincial and federal government to ensure we meet the city’s overall targets for developing new child care spaces.
3. THAT Mayor and Council write a letter to senior levels of government indicating that every effort should be made to ensure Vancouver families have access to affordable and accessible child care through the established national child care program, and support for continuation of the aforementioned program.