Prolific writer off topic on childcare spaces
Vancouver Courier
January 28, 2009
By Charles Campbell

To the editor:

Beverley Smith's letter "Childcare in school: slippery slope" (Jan. 21), raises more questions than it answers. Why is a Calgarian writing a muddled, error-ridden, off-topic letter to criticize the Vancouver School Board's plan to provide more empty school space for after-school care?

A quick search of the Internet provides the answer. Smith is a prolific writer described on one website as a longtime advocate for stay-at-home parents.

It appears she didn't actually read the story she's complaining about, and instead responded reflexively to a Google news alert.

There's a critical shortage of after-school-care spaces. The story is about the school board providing empty space on a cost-recovery basis to working families who will pay their way.

The provincial operating subsidy for most after-school care spaces is just $1.40 a day.