B.C. Government picks priorities; MLA Bennett says subsidized daycare funding will remain intact, though 'minor capital grants' to daycares may be up for cuts
The Daily Bulletin (Kimberley)
Aug 19 2009
By: Annalee Grant

The B.C. Provincial government is making tough decisions right now, while trying to maintain what they say are B.C. resident's number one priorities - health care and education.

Sustaining those massive budgets has meant cuts in other areas, says MLA Bill Bennett….

The Coalition of Child Care Advocates says the B.C. government has cut funding to Minor Capital Grants -- a grant that provides childcare centres with money to spend on upgrading safety standards and repairs.

While Bennett could not confirm any specific cuts to child care, he said that most likely "discretionary grants" are being cut, "because we just don't have the money to make them," he said.

These grants would help pay for fences to be put up around daycare centres, new playground and other materials, according to Bennett.

"I'm not saying it isn't necessary," said Bennett. "When there isn't much money, you have to make tough decisions."

Bennett says that while no government enjoys making cuts, in a recession tough decisions are made by governments.

"These are grants that we'd like to give," he said. "In times like this, you can't do everything."…