File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: More families benefiting from child care investments in B.C.

Mar 26, 2025 | 3:07 PM

FAMILIES IN B.C. DESERVE A BREAK. With the economic uncertainty of Trump’s unjustified tariffs coming on top of rising global inflation, it’s getting harder to get by. That’s why the provincial government is finding ways to help put money back in people’s pockets.

For parents, and especially mothers, child care is one of the biggest expenses they have. Creating more affordable and accessible child care is one of the best ways to help British Columbians save money so they can focus on covering other costs or pursue work or school opportunities.

This week, our government, in partnership with the federal government, announced more brand new child care spaces and more $10-a-day spaces across British Columbia, saving parents thousands of dollars a year.

More than $62 million in joint funding will provide more than 750 new licensed child care spaces throughout B.C. through the government’s accelerated space-creation programs.

This includes 13 new spaces coming to Building Blocks Daycare in Clearwater that will be run by the Yellowhead Community Services Society.

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Additionally, in the 2025/2026 New Spaces Fund, funding has been set aside for 33 new child care spaces to be run by Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society. Currently, a location has not been chosen but this will mean so much for more families in Kamloops in the coming years.

Once operational, these spaces will be eligible for the government’s fee reduction program, an income-based program in B.C. that ensures affordability for families who need it most, saving parents up to $900 per month.

Additionally, families in B.C. will benefit from 770 new $10-a-day spaces at 22 child care centres throughout B.C.

Since 2017, our government has been dedicated to improving child care for people in B.C. Our historic child care plan has helped reduce fees for parents, hire more staff at better wages, and created thousands of new, and more affordable child care spaces across the province.

We know there’s more work to do and we will continue to work to make child care more affordable and accessible for families all over B.C.

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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 Pattison Media.