Victoria MP's daycare bill clears hurdle
Times Colonist (Victoria)
22 Nov 2007 

Victoria NDP MP Denise Savoie's efforts to establish affordable, accessible daycare spaces across the country jumped a big hurdle last night as her private member's bill progressed to third reading….

If passed next February, the NDP's Child Care Act, Bill C-303, would ensure that federal investments in child care are made in high quality, non-profit early learning and child-care services.

The bill requires accountability from provinces on how the money is spent. Savoie estimates the price tag would be more than $2 billion.

All three opposition parties supported the Child Care Act and passed it along for a vote in the new year.

"This minority parliament can leave a strong legacy for all our children by taking these positive steps to support working and middle-class families and combat child poverty," Savoie said, following the vote.

The Conservative's plan to create 125,000 childcare spaces across Canada hasn't materialized and Canadian families are faltering due to the "astronomical" costs and waits for daycare spaces, she said.

"We have to come to the conclusion their policy has failed and not created what Canadian families say they need and want," Savoie said, in an interview….

"I'm very excited because it's a big win when all opposition parties agree," Savoie said.