EXCERPTS
Child care advocates are warning against a possible flood of big businesses that may try to cash in on federal day care money.
New Brunswick is negotiating with Ottawa for $100 million to increase the number of licensed day care spaces in the province.
Australian social policy analyst Lynne Wannan says when the her government increased funding for child care back in 1991, so many businesses cashed in on the largesse that four years of funding disappeared in a year.
Wannan visited Fredericton on Wednesday as part of a cross-country tour sponsored by the Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada.
She says big corporations aren't providing affordable, accessible care in Australia. "One of those companies is forecasting a profit this year of $88 million and 50 per cent of its revenue comes from federal subsidies, but it can't afford to deliver for under twos."
Fredericton MP Andy Scott says talks with the province about a day care funding deal are progressing. "We're working on the language in terms of how that would work, but I'm optimistic that we'll have an agreement very soon," he said.
- reprinted from CBC News