NDP promises child-care cash

By Dan Hilborn
Published May 7, 2005


NDP leader Carole James came to Burnaby on the morning after the B.C. leaders' debate to boost the campaign of Burquitlam candidate Bart Healey and make a promise on child care.

Speaking at the Village Day Care near Burnaby Mountain secondary on Thursday morning, James claimed that the B.C. Liberals are diverting federal child-care dollars into other programs.

In a press release issued just hours after her Burnaby appearance, James said that Ottawa gave B.C. $94 million for child care in 2004/05, but Victoria spent only $40 million on that service.

James then vowed to spend every penny of the $650 million promised to B.C. for child care over the next five years in its intended target.

"This funding will increase child-care space by 20 per cent, reduce wait lists and make child care more affordable for ordinary families," James said in the statement.

But Stan Hagen, the Liberals' minister of children and family development was quoted on CKNW radio saying the B.C. government expects to successfully complete negotiations with Ottawa on a new child-care deal by the end of the year.

In addition, the Liberals' platform document posted on their website says 32,0000 more child-care spaces are now eligible for provincial funding and 10,000 more children are eligible for child- care subsidies.

The Liberal plan was vehemently attacked by Green Party candidate Richard Brand during an all-candidate meeting last week. Brand said the Liberals have cut funding for early childhood education and the federal money is being used to help make small businesses more viable - specifically to subsidize family day-care centres.

James also said the NDP child-care program would create 15,000 new spaces around the province that would be built on five principles - high quality, affordability, accessibility, accountability and with a commitment to children's development.