Shift in funding cuts B.C. care programs
Advance news (Langley)
February 6, 2007
Letters -- By: Mary Polak, Langley MLA

Dear Editor,

Recently, there have been concerns expressed about child care funding in B.C.

The introduction of the federal government's Universal Child Benefit ($100 per month per child) has resulted in a number of changes to child care services in B.C. I would like to take this opportunity to address the issue and explain what the B.C. government is doing to adapt to these changes.

It is important to note that the province is not reducing its contribution to child care funding. Rather, as a result of the shift of federal dollars directly to parents, we are no longer in a position to utilize that funding to support programs.

Simply put, the same funding that used to support programs such as Childcare Resource and Referral is now being distributed directly to individual families. That change represents $455 million that will no longer be transferred to the province by the federal government.

With the funding we continue to provide in B.C., we are refocusing.... Please rest assured that the B.C. government remains strongly committed to child care in this province and we are working diligently on this issue. The Honourable Linda Reid, Minister of State for Childcare, is in regular contact with her federal counterpart. She is working hard to ensure that the impact of this shift in child care policy is fully understood in Ottawa as she continues to advocate on behalf of families in B.C.

My office would be pleased to answer any questions....