Campbell's Failure to Act on Childcare has High Price
NDP Newsletter
October 26, 2006

VICTORIA - It's time for BC to get serious about childcare said Claire Trevena, NDP critic for childcare, after the release of two reports concerning childcare in the province and internationally.

Trevena is calling on the BC Liberal government to stop simply talking about subsidies and put real resources into creating accessible, affordable childcare spaces.

"Look at the facts," said Trevena. "The BC Government cannot afford not to invest in childcare. It allows parents to contribute to the workforce and also prevents problems in the future."

Trevena's call came as the Vancouver Board of Trade released a report saying that institutionalized childcare is an important factor in the prevention of criminal behaviour later in life, which is costly for all of society.

A UNESCO report released Thursday also demonstrates the importance of childcare, but international childcare experts say Canada is not doing enough. Canada has come under criticism for scrapping a national childcare plan in favour of inadequate cash payments to parents.

In addition to the UNESCO report, the OECD placed Canada last out of 14 industrialized nations in its commitment to childcare.

"I want Gordon Campbell to show me the evidence saying childcare is not a good social and financial investment," said Trevena. "It allows parents to go to work without worrying about who's looking after their children, and this allows them to contribute to the economy. It also means fewer children themselves end up with costly social problems later in life."

"In addition to being good social policy, childcare makes sense at the bottom line," said Trevena.

"Failing to provide good childcare ultimately hurts children twice over. In the first place, many children who can benefit from quality childcare don't get it. And secondly, today's children will be the ones forced to pay for the expensive future social costs that result."