Savoie making a difference for children, parents
Vancouver Island News Group - Oak Bay News
January 9, 2008
Opinion - Michelle Kirby

Re: Working poor serious issue, Oak Bay News, Dec. 14.

I would like to suggest that something else is being done to make progress on the issue of working poor. Victoria MP, Denise Savoie is on the brink of making a major improvement in the lives of many young children and their families across this country.

Ms. Savoie's Private Member's Bill C303, the Early Learning and Child Care Act, will make quality child care accessible and affordable for all parents, no matter how much money they earn. Think of how much this will help the single mothers out there, trying to make a living, while paying as much or more in child care as they do in rent. This bill is going to third (and final) reading in mid-February. The Conservatives voted against it in November, but with enough letters to Conservative MPs from parents and grandparents that want high quality child care, Bill C303 can pass.

It will be worth far more to mothers of young children than the $2,000 Guaranteed Minimum Income supplement, Mr. Martin is looking to secure. In fact, quality child care, that stays open, that doesn't have a shortage of qualified staff, or staff leaving the field because of poor pay and benefits. Believe me, as a parent, the security of knowing that your child is in a safe, consistent, stimulating environment. That's worth more than anything. And the rest of society will reap the benefits too, with well cared for children and parents that have support and help when they need it.

A $14-billion surplus and we spend the least of all the OECD countries on child care. It's a matter of priorities. And it's high time that Canada added children to our priorities.