EDITOR:

I applaud Shelagh Germyn for completing her 'Million Steps for Child Care' run from Campbell River to Victoria, and was pleased to meet at the Provincial Legislature with her and representatives from the Campbell River Child Care Planning Committee to discuss child care in B.C.

As the Minister of State for Child Care, I believe it is important that British Columbians know the facts on child care in this province. B.C. has not cut provincial child care funding, despite the loss of federal funds. In fact, B.C. will invest $287 million in child care services this year, an increase from $212 million in 2000/01. We provide major capital funding to build new child care spaces: More than $19 million since 2001 to create 3,300 new spaces (318 spaces on Vancouver Island in 2005 alone). We just announced another $12.5 million in major capital funding to create an additional 2,000 child care spaces by 2010.

There are now more than 82,300 government-funded, licensed child care spaces in B.C. We also help to keep them running, with grants of more than $60 million each year for child care operating funding (CCOF). We are very aware of the recruitment challenges in the early childhood education sector and are always looking at ways to support the sector to attract and retain staff. That includes nearly $4.5 million in grants to support training, bursaries and professional development.

We remain committed to providing sustainable child care so families can choose from a range of affordable, safe, quality child care options.