Demand for child-care funding
By ROBYN STUBBS
24 HOURS
Feb 6, 2007

B.C.'s early childhood education providers can no longer "prop up a fractioned child-care system," say child-care advocates.

Protests are taking place throughout B.C. today to take a stand against continued cuts to child-care funding and the closure of the province's 45 Child Care Resource and Referral Centres planned for later this year.

"This is a no-brainer kind of issue," said Todd Kettner, psychologist and founding member of the Dads for Daycare group based out of Nelson, B.C. "What was a bad situation before is now absolutely critical," he said, pointing to long waitlists and the economic effects of lost productivity due to lack of day-care options for working parents.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, the BCGEU, the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of B.C., and the Early Childhood Educators of BC. asked for the resignation of Minister of State for Child Care Linda Reid, and demanded Finance Minister Carole Taylor and Premier Gordon Campbell restore the child-care budget.

More protests are planned for Feb. 13, as the B.C. Liberals deliver their throne speech in Victoria.