If Canada doesn't develop a national day-care strategy soon, it will be inundated with for-profit franchises from the south, Richmond day-care providers told former Ontario premier Bob Rae at a roundtable discussion yesterday.

"It is coming. And I'm worried, really worried, that Canada is going to be swamped by these large American franchises," said Nicky Byres, manager of the Society of Richmond Children's Centres.

As one of the architects for the federal Liberals' election platform, Rae stopped in Richmond on his travels across the country, asking communities for their thoughts on day care.

And indeed, Richmond day-care providers had plenty of thoughts.

… were told in no uncertain terms that the current system is woefully under-funded, inadequately regulated and in crises.

Demand outstrips supply by four to one and day-care workers are burning out daily; 80 per cent of them quit after five years.

The SRCC has 400 names on a waiting list for 12 spaces, Byres told Rae.

"This is not just about day care," noted Jane Boyd, day-care advocate and consultant.

"It's also about a labour shortage."

In Alberta, where the labour shortage has been even more dramatic, the provincial government is actively supporting day-care operators, she added.

"We haven't seen the same here."

Rae's visit is timely, not only because an election could be held at any time, but also because the current day-care program, crafted by the former Liberal government, will be scrapped as of July 1.

When the Harper Conservatives took over, Ottawa decided to let what was then the recently crafted national day-care strategy developed by Liberal MP Ken Dryden stand for one year.

That year is up.

Harper has replaced the Liberal program with another in which parents of young children are now given $100 a month to spend on day care -- or whatever they feel is in the best interest of their child.

"They did it under the guise of giving parents choice," said Byres.

"But what choice does $100 a month give anyone?" added

Linda Shirley, owner of Arts Connection, which houses a for-profit childcare program.

A full-time infant/toddler space costs $1,000 a month at Byres' facility.

At that price, other programs subsidize the space. The real cost is more like $1,500 a month, she said.

Other complaints include too much bureaucracy, no national standards and a lack of accountability.

Federal money that is often "earmarked" for day cares goes elsewhere, complained the providers.

Byres points to the Strong Start program for preschool age children funded by the provincial government through the school districts.

"Those were day-care dollars, but Strong Start is not a day care program," because a parent or guardian has to attend with the child.

Rae said the comments made in Richmond are remarkably similar to those in municipalities right across the country.

"In the next election, the Canadian people will see a clear divide between the Harper government, which is intent on removing itself from social policy, and the Liberals, who believe there is a role for the federal government in the development and implementing of social policy," Rae said.

In terms of funding, the federal government needs to be clearer and stricter about ensuring money goes where it's intended.

Rae added that the federal government "should take a hard look" at developing agreements directly with municipalities.

"The provinces will squawk, but there are a lot of people who believe municipalities should have more autonomy."