More cuts bite into child care
Prince George Citizen
02 Feb 2007
Mailbox: Your Letters

By: Diane Gabrielson

On Jan. 5, Linda Reid, B.C.'s minister of state for child care, announced even more financial cuts to child-care services in B.C.

As a result, parent fees for child care and preschool are sure to be raised; some centres may be forced to close and communities in B.C. will lose a very important service when Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) programs cease to exist this fall.

Many parents rely on the CCRR for assistance with subsidy applications and accessing quality care situations.

In addition, educational workshops, support and networking opportunities are among the services offered to those providing care and early education to children.

Coupled with Prime Minister Harper and his government's cancellation of the agreement on early learning and child care as of March 31, which translates to a loss of $455 million in transfer payments to B.C., this recent provincial announcement has devastating impacts on every community in B.C.

Feb. 6 marks the first anniversary of Stephen Harper's swearing in -- take action and wear black or a black arm band all day to show you disagree with these cuts. Phone or write your MLA and MP to tell them how this will affect you. Contact Minister Reid and Premier Campbell to find out why they have been silent about the loss of federal funding to this province.

Minister Reid states that part of the government's goal is to "support our most vulnerable children."

Let's remind government that all children in the early years are "most vulnerable" as these are the most critical years for brain development, and that ensuring quality experiences for all our children is vital to a healthy and productive community.