MLA responds
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Times
January 30, 2007
Mailbag -- By: Randy Hawes, MLA, Maple Ridge - Mission

Editor:

Regarding your editorial of Jan. 23 and your news story of Jan. 19 covered comments I made regarding child care. Unfortunately your coverage did not reflect either the context or the content of my comments.

I would like to assure my constituents that child care remains a high priority for our government. Unfortunately, the cancellation of the Agreement in Principle with the federal government represents a total loss of funding of $455 million for British Columbia. This has left us in a precarious position. Rest assured that anyone currently funded under the program will continue to receive funding in 2007/08, as will new spaces that will be opening as a result of capital development underway, previously approved major capital funding and eligible applications already submitted. Additionally, the number of funded childcare spaces will absolutely not be reduced.

The loss of transfer payments from the federal government has forced us to make some difficult choices, but ones that had to be made in order to maintain investments that support vulnerable children and families. I have spoken with Minister of State for Childcare, Linda Reid and have discussed the possibility of holding a public meeting for parents at a later date to explore child care options. We will continue to work diligently on behalf of parents on this issue.

* Editor's note: The TIMES stands by its story.