Childcare policy forces parents to stay at home
Vancouver Island News Group -- Duncan News Leader and Pictorial
07 Apr 2007
By: Marley Heiberg

Dear editor

I am writing on behalf of the parents and early childhood educators about the cuts Prime Minister Stephen Harper has made. Those decisions are very wrong. Canada's present government says it cannot afford to fund childcare and has decided that childcare is not a priority.

A government that does not fund childcare can force a parent to stay home to care for the child instead of pursuing a career. Quality childcare costs money and the government cannot expect quality childcare from minimal funding. Society at large benefits from proper, quality childcare. Recent cuts totaling $1.2 billion will have an adverse effect on the standard of living that a parent can provide for their child.

The federal government implies it cannot afford to pay for childcare. However, a government that can spend billions of dollars on war efforts and offshore oil drilling has chosen not to support childcare costs. A federal government that will support such endeavors should consider the perspective of those dependent of the childcare system.

Many parents struggle to make ends meet and are not able to hold down a position of employment if they are not able to utilize the services of childcare. In short, a person can only be in one place at a time. A parent in this era of high costs associated to a modern way of living cannot survive with 27 per cent less for childcare operating funds for children under six years of age Harper has offered. It is not as if people who run childcare centres are going to lower the monthly fees. In fact, childcare centres have to raise their fees.

As of April 1, $35 to $40 million will be cut. How does Harper intend to ensure all of Canada's youngest citizens will receive quality early care and education without providing adequate operating funds? Does he think it's his responsibility? If not, whose responsibility is it?