UCP’S LACK OF LONG-TERM PLAN FOR CHILD CARE IS SETTING ALBERTA UP FOR FAILURE

EDMONTON – Today’s announcement of a federal cash injection into Alberta’s child care centres provides no long-term solution to the child care crisis, says the Alberta NDP Official Opposition.

Alberta will be receiving $72-million in federal support to distribute to child care centres in October and November. There was no indication from the UCP on what plan would be in place for child care centres and Alberta families after the funding runs out before the end of the year. 

“Jason Kenney and the UCP don’t seem to understand that child care is first and foremost an economic issue.” said Rakhi Pancholi, NDP critic for Children’s Services. “The UCP’s refusal to invest in child care is effectively a refusal to include women and parents of young children in the economic recovery. It is a refusal to ensure that parents can go back to work safely.”

The NDP Official Opposition has proposed a child care recovery plan to stimulate the economy and support Alberta families. The strategy included implementation of a universal $25/day affordable child care program for non-profit, private centres and family day-homes, guided by an Early Learning and Child Care Task Force.

Subsidies for families under the current UCP government see families earning $75,000 per year have to spend on average 43% of their monthly take-home income for child care for two children. 

“Albertans cannot get back to work without affordable, accessible, and quality child care.” said Pancholi. “Jason Kenney and the UCP government need to release a long-term plan for child care in our province.”