Communities across BC are speaking up: Public education about the child care funding cuts and community based actions

Restore Child Care! Events and protests planned across BC

BCGEU members are working with parents and community partners across the province to bring public attention to the impact of the most recent child care cuts.

Only a political decision can reverse the cuts, restore funding and build a stronger child care system.

A variety of events are being planned including public town hall meetings, rallies, letter writing campaigns, and MLA visits.


Let’s Make It Happen, BCGEU

Sample letter for parents [PDF]
Sample letter for employers [PDF]


CAMPBELL RIVER:

Campbell River Child Care Planning Committee/CRECEBC Town Hall Meeting – Feb. 6, 2007

Newspaper ad


CRANBROOK:

Town Hall Meeting Feb. 6, 2007

Flyer


DUNCAN:

February 6, 2007 — A black day for childcare: Honour our children, and stand united. Rally 1:30 pm, Duncan city hall.

Stop cuts to childcare: wear black


ECEBC:

ECEBC supports the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC, in their current campaign to have Minister of State for Child Care, Linda Reid resign and Minister of Finance, Carole Taylor restore the cuts!

Open letter to Minister Reid [PDF]

ECEBC Day of Protest on February 13th – Meet on the steps of the legislature in Victoria, 12:30 on February 13th.

Buses will take people from Vancouver to the legislature in Victoria — leave 41st and Oak at 7:30 AM to make the 9 AM ferry. Email the office ecebc@direct.ca or phone 1-800-797-5602, or 604-709-6063 by Thursday afternoon to reserve a seat on the bus.

Full details


KAMLOOPS:

Protect our children and protest the cuts.

Contact local child care advocates for details about their plans for February. Feb 6th, 2007 marks one year since the federal Conservatives began governing.


MAPLE RIDGE:

On Feb 3 child care providers are rallying at Maple Ridge-Mission Liberal MLA Randy Hawes’ office at 1 p.m. They are putting together a paper chain with each link representing each child, parent, caregiver (and their family members) that will be affected by these cutbacks.

Feb. 6 from 6:30 to 8 a.m., at Lougheed Highway and 200 Street, providers will host a walk to bring attention to recent child care funding cutbacks.

Feb 6 th, MLA Michael Sather is holding a town hall meeting in partnership with program operators to discuss the future of childcare in the wake of B.C. Liberal government cuts. St. Andrew’s United Church, 22165 Dewdney Trunk Rd., Maple Ridge, from 7 to 9 p.m.


NELSON:

SPAN Nelson (Social Planning Action Network) & Dads for Child Care plan a Child Care Forum – Thursday Feb. 1, 7:00 pm

Dads for Child Care and SPAN Nelson Child Care Forum – The Social Planning Action Network of Nelson (SPAN Nelson) and Nelson Dads for Child Care will host a community forum on the issues – Thursday February 1st in the Hume Hotel’s ‘Hume Room’ at 7:00pm. Please attend – our kids are counting on you!

Flyer [PDF]

Feb 13, 2007 Day-care day of protest planned
[CBC News]

Feb. 13 — the day of the provincial throne speech — has been designated as a day of protest.

Deb Jarvis, the executive director of the Kootenay Kids Society, said some day-care centres will be closed for the day, while others will be the scene of public rallies.


RICHMOND:

Richmond Parents and Child Care Providers express shock and horror about the Provincial Government’s funding cuts to child care.

Over 700 protest letters from local parents have been collected and will be sent to Minister Reid. It is hard for local parents and providers to understand why, in a booming economy, this government chose not to support families with services and funding.


SCHOOL AGE CHILD CARE ASSOCIATION OF BC (SACCA):

SACCA supports the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC in their current campaign to have Minister of State for Child Care, Linda Reid resign and Minister of Finance, Carole Taylor restore the cuts.


SUNSHINE COAST COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY:

“Gordon Campbell’s Liberal government slashes funding for our CCR and R program – Lobby the government through a letter writing campaign”


VICTORIA:

Feb. 6, 2007 RESTORE CHILD CARE! TOWN HALL MEETING – 7pm, BCGEU Area Office, 2994 Douglas St., Victoria


WESTCOAST CHILD CARE RESOURCE CENTRE:

MCFD has announced its plan for child care for the 2007-08 fiscal year. “…Many words have been used to describe this decision but it all comes down to one thing – it is BAD! Bad for families, bad for care providers, bad for organizations, and ultimately and most importantly, bad for the children who will be once again caught in the crossfire – or perhaps misfire – of government policy based on single-minded ideology!…”