There's more to be done
Cariboo Press / Vernon Morning Star
November 17, 2006
Opinion

The recent visit by Linda Reid, the provincial minister of state of childcare, underlines the province's need for more workers.

Reid was right to emphasize the importance for employers to help their workers balance their job with their family commitments.

With a skill shortage and help wanted signs everywhere, it is crucial for businesses to do everything in their power to keep people who may have pressing commitments - whether to children, parents or life issues - in the workplace.

Not to mention the fact that helping employees balance their lives is better for worker morale and the right thing to do.

Unfortunately, however much the Worklife BC Awards may encourage some employers to become more flexible, the odds that it will put a dint in the province's worker shortage are slim.

What is needed is more help for parents who look at the cost of childcare and find little incentive to go back to work and send their kids to daycare. It is good to hear that the province has increased the threshold of those eligible for its childcare subsidy. However, a look at how much the subsidy actually provides may be something that should be examined in the future if the province wants to continue to bring young parents back into the workforce.

Unfortunately, the decision by the Conservatives to scrap a national childcare plan in favour of monthly payments for each child has done absolutely nothing to encourage parents of young children to rejoin the workforce, even as the province looks for ways to entice new workers.