Atamanenko presents three petitions to Parliament
Nelson Daily News
June 14, 2006
By: Sara Newham
EXCERPT

Residents of the B.C. Southern Interior had their concerns voiced in Ottawa thanks to three petitions presented June 9 to Parliament on their behalf by local Member of Parliament Alex Atamanenko.

"This was the first time I'd ever done this. We got them within the span of a couple of weeks and I decided to do them at the same time," said Atamanenko, describing the procedure he has to follow.

The first petition - signed by residents of Castlegar, Nelson, and Oliver - urges the federal government to ensure quality, publicly funded childcare exists. Atamanenko said that he believes childcare is not just an urban issue. He explained that he has had meetings with people across the riding who want the federal government to honour the child care agreement signed between the previous government and the provinces.

"There are people that need affordable quality childcare in our small communities," said Atamanenko. "There's one case of a person who came to find work and wasn't able to accept the job because there was childcare facility available. This clearly is an important program especially for working moms."

The Conservative government has stated its intent to end the agreement effective March 31, 2007 and instead provide $100 per month per child under the age of six so that parents may choose the child care option that is most suitable for them. The New Democrats are proposing an Early Learning and Childcare Act that will enshrine in legislation a national childcare program that future governments cannot easily change.

"What we're doing is to try and bring this issue to the forefront. We're saying this is important," said the MP. "We have to recognize that early learning and childcare is an important issue for Canadians and we need qualified people to look after our young children in properly, publicly-funded day care centres." ...

"It's one way of making sure the voice of concerned citizens are heard. There's not going to be any legislation coming out of it or anything like that."