SOUND OFF: Child care is key to our recovery

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Since 2018, our New Democrat government has funded more than 20,000 new licensed childcare spaces across the province, including more than 500 in Kamloops. This is the fastest creation of childcare spaces in B.C.’s history. In fact, in the first three years of our Child Care BC plan, we’ve funded more than four and a half times more childcare spaces than the previous government did in their last three years.

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Last week, I was excited to announce that 228 new licensed childcare spaces will soon be available for parents in the Central Interior, including 122 spaces in Kamloops, 76 in Alexis Creek, 25 in Logan Lake and five in 100 Mile House.

Throughout the province, we’ve made child care more affordable with benefits and fee reductions, which have saved parents up to $1,600 a month per child. In Kamloops, that has meant over $20 million has gone back into the pockets of parents since 2018.

Parents who have kids in child care will know that early learning professionals do amazing work to nurture our kids every day. We are committed to supporting those workers and to attracting new people to the profession to meet the high demand for qualified staff.

As part of our economic recovery plan, we recently added over 100 new seats in post-secondary programs for early childhood educators (ECEs) in B.C. These new educational opportunities include in-class and on-the-job learning options. We’ve also expanded the bursary program, helping nearly 8,000 ECE students with the cost of their studies. And our government has provided over $51 million in wage enhancements for more than 13,000 ECEs across the province.

We’re making progress, but we know there is more work to do to build the universal childcare system that families and employers need as part of our economic recovery. We remain as committed as ever to making life more affordable for families in Kamloops and around the province and to improving the services that B.C. families need and deserve.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.