CCCABC :: Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC

Public meeting and task force visit mark Child Care Month
Northern View
By Chantal Cornwall
May 30, 2007

Over 25 years ago, B.C. advocates set the tone by marking the month of May as Child Care Month, which is currently celebrated and supported in many B.C. communities. Child Care Month celebrates the role of early childhood educators and the quality of child care programs made available in our communities. Child Care month is also a time to remind government of the strong need to commit resources that are crucial to the learning development and success of our children through quality child care programs.

With the child care crisis taking a lead role in both provincial and federal government discussion forums, this year's celebrations took more of a political stand than ever. Prince Rupert community members have taken a very proactive approach to the child care crisis in our community with participation in rallies and peaceful protests. Emily Mlieczko of Westview Child Care requested that the "Child Care - Let's Make it Happen" campaign partners that were currently visiting various B.C. communities, which consists of the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of B.C. and the B.C. Government and Services Employees' Union (BCGEU), visit the Prince Rupert area.

Mlieczko, as well as Anne Falvo from the Community Enrichment Society, have been strong advocates for Prince Rupert and the outlying communities. Mlieczko states that "working families and our children, communities and businesses in Prince Rupert need expanded quality child care services in order to thrive." Mlieczko further states that "providing affordable and accessible child care will also be key to attracting new employers and workers to support the growth of Prince Rupert as an international container port."

Cuts to child care have cost B.C. families in many areas, including increasing parent fees, program cuts and long wait lists for affordable quality child care.

According to the campaign literature, B.C. parents pay among the highest child care fees in the world while many European countries have well-established child care systems in place. In a recent Ipsos Reid Survey, over 80 per cent of British Columbians polled state "they agree that it is time for the province to invest more in the children of working families." Quebec is the only province in Canada with a universal child care system.

On Wednesday, May 23, a small task force consisting of Morna Ballantyne from the National Code Blue Child Care campaign in Ottawa, Rita Chudnovsky from the Coalition of Child Care Advocates, Holly Paige from the Child Care - Let's Make it Happen B.C. campaign and Teresa Marshall of BCGEU came to Prince Rupert. Members of the public were invited to participate in various functions to discuss local child care issues and share ideas for possible solutions including a child care lunch at the Berry Patch Child Care Resource and Referral Centre. Visiting members of the campaign also visited Teddy Bear Daycare, the Hub at Roosevelt and Westview Child Care Centre.

The task force's tour was completed by a successful community potluck at the Nisaga'a Hall with invited local guests speakers that included Farley Stewart, Steve Riley and Morna Ballantyne from the National Code Blue campaign.