Big crowd turns out to hear childcare message
Vancouver Island News Group -- Duncan News Leader and Pictorial
07 Apr 2007

Waiting lists two years long. Parents begging for a spot.

Millions upon millions of dollars slashed annually from subsidies, wages, and benefits.

An economy that could collapse if women are forced from the workforce to care for children the government is, ostensibly, unwilling to.

Those concerns were among many voiced Tuesday when a town hall meeting was called to discuss the decay of a provincial childcare system starving for funding.

Parents, childcare advocates and children crowded into the Cowichan secondary cafeteria to watch a video called Kids Can't Wait, discuss the issues and work towards a resolution.

Mary Dolan, one of the loudest voices advocating childcare in the Cowichan Valley, talked about a wealthy provincial government -- boasting a $3 billion surplus -- that is seriously mismanaging its funds.

"There's a concern childcare will only be available to the affluent," she said. "Quality childcare: the Valley can't work without it. Quality childcare and a vibrant economy are related."

Those attending the meeting were told $40 million has been cut annually from parent care subsidies, benefits and wages by the B.C. Liberals since they came to power in 2002. The situation was exacerbated, when the federal Conservatives eliminated a national childcare agreement in 2006.

The result?

Childcare centres were forced to shut down because they couldn't afford to stay open. Spaces in licenced, professional centres became even more scarce. The video documented a situation so desperate that, in Vancouver, three mothers were sharing a single daycare space.

New grandmother Jean Crowder, better known as the Nanaimo-Cowichan MP, said it's important to continue putting pressure on the government to bring in a national childcare system.

"Don't let them tell you it can't be done," she said. "Because it can be done. We must work to make sure it stays on all levels of government agenda. Because (children) are going to be supporting us when we're in diapers."

Locally, waiting lists for childcare are growing increasingly long, said Kathy Weismiller of Arcadia childcare. Parents can't be productive if they can't find childcare for their children, she said, forcing some to stay home when they might otherwise be working or finishing their education.

"What will happen to the economy if one parent from every family stayed home?" she asked. "Communities don't thrive without the support of their governments."

Childcare advocates have already done a lot to raise awareness. They've held public meetings, rallied, and contacted ministry officials to voice concerns.

Cindy Lise, of Success by 6, said it's important to keep the issue "in the forefront" and support childcare advocates from other communities who are also raising awareness.

Duncan council has written a letter to Premier Gordon Campbell in support of childcare advocates and School District 79 will be contacting appropriate ministries as well.

At the SD79 board meeting Wednesday night, a motion was passed to "write a strongly worded letter requesting the provincial government restore funding to childcare programs in the province."