Germyn takes first steps towards better childcare
Campbell River Mirror
Paul Rudan
Oct 10 2007

The pedometer reads zero as Shelagh Germyn begins her Million Steps for Childcare.

The 49-year-old ultra marathoner isn’t exactly sure how many steps it is to Victoria – it should be around 300,000 – but she certainly hopes she’s not sloshing the entire way.

“Don’t even say that!” she says with a laugh, as her supporters put on their rain coats to begin the first leg of the journey through the drizzle.

Germyn set out from Campbell River on Tuesday morning. After a rally and pancake breakfast at Campbell River Common mall – cooked up by Daybreak Rotarians – about 50 supporters, wearing yellow Million Steps T-shirts joined Germyn in a march to city hall.

“What Shelagh’s doing is an incredible feat – no pun intended,” said North Island MLA Claire Trevena at the rally. “I hope to see thousands of yellow shirts when we get to the Legislature.”

A Million Steps For childcare isn’t a fundraising exercise. Rather, Germyn is walking, running and biking to the capital to bring greater awareness for the need for more affordable and accessible childcare.

“The big reason why I’m doing this is for the families of the future,” said Germyn, who has two children, both in their 20s. “I’m doing this for my daughter and your daughters, and for my son and your sons.”

The journey is being supported by the B.C. Government Employees Union as well as the Campbell River Chamber of Commerce. Greater accessibility to childcare, particularly licenced daycare facilities, means more parents have the ability to improve their education and to seek employment.

“For businesses, accessible and affordable childcare is important. We are faced with a skills shortage here and everywhere. This is absolutely true,” said chamber president Kim Vokey. “Better childcare is not the only solution to the skills shortage but it will help alleviate the labour shortage, and it’s important.”

A Million Steps is also about supporting early childhood educators who are the backbone of licenced daycares. They are typically paid about $11 per hour and receive few benefits.

Trevena pointed out the provincial government recently announced millions of dollars in spending for childcare, but most of the money is going to infrastructure.

“More equipment and professional development is a good start – but it doesn’t address ongoing funding or wages,” she said. “We almost had a federal childcare program but we lost it. I think we can have a provincial childcare program.”

Germyn is making stops in Courtenay, Qualicum, Parksville, Nanaimo, Ladysmith and Duncan, before arriving in Victoria on Oct. 16. Trevena will introduce her to MLAs inside the Legislature, to be followed by a rally outside.