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Nova Scotia Needs Immediate Action on Childcare |
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Written by NS Liberal Party
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Thursday, 02 February 2006 |
Nova Scotia Liberal Leader, Francis MacKenzie and Community Services Critic Manning MacDonald are calling on the Tory government to immediately expand childcare services in Nova Scotia.
Recently, the premier indicated that he plans to wait until the new federal government's childcare plans are known before he expands any provincial program. MacKenzie says the province needs more childcare spaces, regardless of the federal government's plans.
"Once again the Tories are waiting for a federal solution to a provincial problem," said MacKenzie. "Even if Ottawa decides not to offer any funding at all, Nova Scotia still needs more daycare spaces now."
Manning MacDonald is appalled that the province has been sitting on $20.4 million in federal childcare money since last summer, which must be spent by March 31 of this year. "What are they waiting for?" asked MacDonald. "We can all see the need, it's time for action."
MacKenzie also pointed out that under the previous federal childcare agreement with the provinces, Nova Scotia stood to receive $43-million between 2005 and 2007. According to the Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada, this would provide 10,467 funded childcare seats in the province. Under the new Tory government, that funding, and those seats, will be gone.
"The provincial Tory government supported Stephen Harper in the federal election, and now Nova Scotia parents are paying the price," added MacKenzie.
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