Richmond rally begins month of protests against cuts to child-care services
Vancouver Sun
February 6, 2007

B.C. - Child-care advocates, service providers and parents will stage protests throughout the province today and throughout February to mark the one-year anniversary of the federal Conservatives taking office, and the cuts to child-care services.

Mike Clarke, vice-president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union and chairman of its child and family care committee, said in an interview there will be at least 15 events he describes as "grassroots events organized by family members and service providers."

"The provincial government has cut about $50 million from child-care and support programs since 2002," said Clarke. "We are the only province that is cutting on top of the federal cuts."

At stake this year are 45 child-care resource and referral centres throughout the province. "The latest cuts will virtually close their doors by September. They were encouraged to expand just six months ago."

Clarke estimates the cost of the closures to be upwards of $5 million to taxpayer, money lost in cancelled contracts, leases and equipment.

Losses to families and the community are already being felt, including the closure of a daycare in Dawson Creek last week....

Other protests throughout the month may include employer-led daycare closures, rallies, letter-writing campaigns and wearing black for Black Days for Childcare.