Some who attended a public forum on child care Tuesday evening were surprised by just how dismal the numbers are, but the evening held a positive note of getting down to business, Coun. Anne Murray reported to North Cowichan council Wednesday.

The evening forum marked the official release of a draft report from Social Planning Cowichan on the state of child care in the Cowichan Valley.

The report states there are only enough licenced spaces to accommodate 50 per cent of the children under 12 who need care, and only enough spaces to serve 11 per cent of the children aged three and under needing care.

"A lot of people turned up," said Murray of attendance at the forum, estimated at about 50.

Many were child-care workers, she said, but there were also some parents and community politicians…

Candace Spilsbury, of Social Planning Cowichan, said those who attended the meeting emphasized the interrelationship between many of the issues facing childcare.

"It's not just one factor that is the problem," she said, pointing out that training affects staffing which affects the number of spaces available, for example…

The "abysmal" starting wage of $11 to $14 per hour is simply not enough to attract and maintain workers in the field, she said, particularly when they must attend college for up to three years to qualify for the job.

A starting wage of $17 to $18 per hour is more standard in most industries, Murray said.

Child care workers at the forum expressed disappointment with a recent funding announcement from the provincial government promising money to create new child care spaces.

"That won't solve the child-care issue," said Spilsbury.

It doesn't take into account the need for funding for staff and operational expenses, Murray said.

In spite of these depressing statistics, she said, there was a hopeful feeling amongst those that attended.

It was mentioned that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities resolved at their annual convention last week to call on the provincial government to reinstate millions of dollars in funding that was cut earlier this year, and the need for a universal child-care system.

Murray also noted that the B.C. Chamber of Commerce has stepped into the fray with a letter stating child care is not just a social issue but something that is key to the success of the business community.

"When business starts talking this way, the government sits up and takes notice," Murray said.

The Chamber has recognized child care as an important factor in addressing the labour shortage, she said, and when parents cannot get adequate, affordable child care, there is a depressing effect on areas such as the tourism industry.

"People require child care in order to work," Murray said…

They'll proceed with forming a regional childcare council.

Once the report is completed, the plan is to meet with Linda Reid, provincial minister responsible for childcare, present the findings, and lobby for support.