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MacKenzie Calling for More Portable Daycare Spaces |
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Written by NS Liberal Party
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Wednesday, 21 December 2005 |
Liberal Leader Francis MacKenzie wants the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services to open up more portable daycare spaces.
In August and September 2005, the Department of Community Services held consultations on future investments in childcare. The input received was to be used to develop Nova Scotia's five-year plan for childcare, but to date no plan has been made public. On May 16, 2005 the Province of Nova Scotia signed a five-year agreement with the federal government that provided an additional $20.4 million, which is available to be drawn down before March 31, 2006.
“The money is there to open up more spaces. What is the hold up?” asks Liberal Leader Francis MacKenzie. “Single parents like Stacey Ferguson are on a long wait list for a day care space that he can access for his daughter close to home. He, like many other families, is waiting for this government to announce more portable spaces.”
In the HRM, there are 297 families on the wait list for portable subsidized day care spaces; Ferguson is number 268. Government told him he will have to wait up to 8 months before there is a place available for his daughter.
“It makes no sense that so many families are waiting for a space when the minister has money to spend,” added MacKenzie. “He’s consulted and pondered this issue to death. It’s now time for him to announce his day care plan, including more portable day care spaces.” |
