Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM)
Victoria, BC

MOTION PASSED
B50
BC CHILDCARE PLAN North Cowichan

WHEREAS the UBCM has consistently endorsed resolutions prioritizing affordable, accessible early learning and childcare; AND WHEREAS with only enough spaces for 20% of BC children and fees as high as $1,915 per month, access to high quality, affordable early childcare and learning is a crisis for many working families and a concern that thousands of British Columbians have expressed:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM request that the provincial government work to improve access to high quality, affordable early child care and learning and list it among their top priorities.

Background: UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE COMMENTS:
The Resolutions Committee notes that the UBCM membership has consistently endorsed resolutions requesting that affordable, accessible child care and learning, including:

• 2011-B65 which requested that the provincial government increase funding to childcare as part of a concerted effort to reduce child poverty and strengthen the economy of British Columbia;

• 2011-B66 which requested that other orders of government make early care and learning a top priority by:
·· creating strong legislative frameworks;
·· significant new public investments to support the legislative frameworks;
·· consolidating Early Care and Learning into the provincial Ministry of Education; and
·· establishing an accountability framework that includes developmentally appropriate playbased learning in the early years and ensures positive outcomes for children;

• 2010-B56 which requested that the Province ensure early childhood development remains a provincial priority for funding.