File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: More affordable child care changing lives

Dec 7, 2022 | 10:34 AM

ON THE FIRST OF THIS MONTH, thousands of families had something to celebrate – our government is cutting childcare fees again. Our fee reduction is saving families up to $550 more per month, per child. And this is on top of the $350 per month they have been saving since 2018 under our ChildCareBC plan. Since we formed government, we’ve made historic investments in this program because child care is one of our top priorities to help BC families.

All kids deserve a nurturing and welcoming place to grow and learn. And all parents should be able to pursue their career or educational goals while knowing their children are being cared for. We believe in building a future where affordable, quality, inclusive child care is a core service that families can count on.

Unfortunately, this hasn’t always been the reality. Before we formed government, the BC Liberals spent the previous 16 years ignoring the needs of B.C.’s families – and businesses – who have been calling for affordable, accessible child care for years. They didn’t understand that affordable childcare is essential for parents, communities and our economy. Many parents were left behind by rising fees, lack of spaces and long waiting lists.

As soon as we formed government, we got to work right away. We worked to get more childcare centres built, we implemented fee reductions with providers and we introduced a child care benefit for families based on income.

In April this year, we had 6,500 spaces for children in $10-a-Day centres. As of December 1, we had nearly 11,000 spaces, with hundreds more spaces expected in the coming weeks.

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: December 12, 2024

13h ago

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: North Shore BIA working hard to develop a 'happening place'

19h ago

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Moons

Dec 10, 2024

Whether they have kids in a $10-a-Day space or are receiving a fee reduction at another licenced centre, when families find out that their childcare centre fees are being reduced, the joy and relief they share with us is inspiring. It’s not simply about paying less money for a service. Affordable childcare is life-changing.

It means families can save more for their future or pay off debt that has been holding them back. It provides the security parents need to take the leap and change careers or go back to school to achieve their goals. And for families who are struggling to make ends meet, it provides relief from stress, worry and anxiety.

Just last week, a community member shared with me that having her child in one of the newly opened $10-a-Day childcare spaces meant that she didn’t have to worry about how she was going to pay for her rent each month. Other parents have shared with me that having safe and affordable spaces has meant that they can go back to work, or buy extra groceries, or go on family trips.

Our childcare plan began as a vision to unite a patchwork of programs and services, address skyrocketing fees that were putting child care out of reach for many families, and to build child care as a core service that families can depend upon. We have made a great deal of progress, but there is always more to do, and we look forward to making more positive change for B.C. families.

——

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