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Queensland Daycare Could Be One of Many Closures if Morse Fails To Act |
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Written by NDP News Release
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Wednesday, 16 November 2005 |
Halifax - NDP MLA and Community Service Critic Marilyn More has written to the Minister of Community Services, David Morse, to convey her concern that the Queens Day Care in Liverpool may be the first of many to close if the Minister does not deal immediately with problems of lack of planning, low wages, and underfunding.
 "This is just irrational," says More. "Here we have the federal government putting forth unprecendented support for early childhood education and care and the provincial government is going to blow the whole thing because they refuse to plan and take on the responsibility for creating a province-wide system of licensed, non-profit child care."
"And worst of all in this tragedy of missed opportunity is that good daycare centres are closing and children are losing access to care."
More says she is frustrated and disappointed that after years of letters and questions in the Legislature to the Minister, she has yet to receive any evidence that the Minister is willing to accept responsibility for the provision of accessible, affordable child care. She points out that many excellent care centres have told her that they are just one bill or one crisis away from closing due to underfunding, and that the wages they can offer child care workers are so low that they are unsure how long they will be able to meet licensing requirements."
"One mother says that she will now have to pay 200% more for child care because the Queens centre has closed," says More. "When a centre like this closes single parents, low income families and those in rural areas are hardest hit."
"Our child care system is on the verge of collapse. How can those in a position of trust, like this Minister, let this happen?"
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