THE PROVINCIAL government is taking a step backward because of cuts to child care subsidies for children under three, says Skeena NDP MLA Robin Austin.

What was to be a cut from $14.04 a day to $10 the first week of June has been eased somewhat to $12 but the problem remains, he said.

"This is a province which had a surplus of $2.3 billion in the last year. One of its goals, which it has stated continuously, is to make things better for all children under the age of six. You tell me how this is going to help," Austin said.

"Actually, making B.C. the best educated place in North America is one of the premier's five great goals. How is this going to happen when you cut assistance for children?" he continued.

Austin did acknowledge the cuts by the federal government in child care monies sent to the provinces is ultimately responsible for the per-day subsidy reduction.

But he repeated his position that the provincial government has the money to keep the subsidy at its previous level.

"Instead, what you are going to see is more pressure on the daycares. With the reduction, they won't be able to pay as much. And when people leave because of the pay, they won't be replaced. And that'll reduce the number of spaces available," added Austin.

"It's simply a dreadful time to do this when there is already a shortage of spaces. It's going to make it hard for people to access child care services."

Minister of State for Childcare Linda Reid has told child care providers that the federal $100 a month child benefit should replace the $2 a day being otherwise lost.

"That was, after all, its intended purpose," said Reid of the $100 a month.