Education bonus to come to all newborns in BC next year
November 04, 2006
By: Kate Forman

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) - One of the big surprises at the provincial Liberal's convention in Penticton today was the introduction of a baby education bonus. They're planning to put a thousand dollars aside for every child born starting January 1st, 2007 to use towards post secondary education. The Premier says the money will roughly double between now and when each child reaches 18. But Sharon Gregson with the Child Care Advocates of BC says this money would be better used to serve a more pressing need. She says parents who are fortunate to find a space for their kids can pay up to $1,100 a month.

She says community consultation has shown time and time again that we're desperate for a child care system. Gregson says parents do need help with their kids education but right now they need help raising their young children. She says it would be shameful if the province was using federal child care money to fund the baby education bonus. Larry Campbell hopes the plan will help with a shortfall of 350,000 workers in the future and ensure students stay in BC.