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The new federal government hopes to spur growth of day-care services with a child allowance and tax exemptions, but union leaders and those in Brandon's child care say the Conservative government needs a time out.
"Finally, the Liberals have seen that what I'm doing is important," said Kimberly Jaskow, owner of Kim's Day Care.
"Now the Conservatives say 'no.' It makes me want to scream."
This week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper reaffirmed his government's resolve to phase out the early learning and child care agreements signed by the previous Liberal government. That includes a five-year agreement signed with Manitoba that would have given the province an estimated $176 million in child-care support. Ontario and Quebec inked similar agreements.
To replace the agreement, the Conservatives intend to implement the Choice in Child Care Allowance program, which would give all families $1,200 per year for each child under six years old, and offer $250 million in tax credits to employers and non-profit agencies to provide new day-care spaces.
Jaskow said the plan just won't work.
Jaskow said parents with children under two years can expect to pay around $400 per month per child, $328 per month for children between two and five, and $192 for school-age children. She said there's even talk that the province may increase those fees.
Pat Wege, the executive director of the Manitoba Child Care Association (MCCA) thinks the idea of a child allowance is a good idea, but it's not the best answer.
"Parents need all the help they can get," Wege said. "But a family allowance is not a child care system. The best answer: do both. Provide family allowance and honour the bilateral agreement."
Manitoba Family Services Minister Christine Melnick said she expects the province's deal with the federal government to stand. "... We do have two signed deals," Melnick said. "A signed agreement is a very powerful document. And it was signed in good faith."
The president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Paul Moist, waded into the fray yesterday, urging the provinces and child- care groups to put pressure on the new PM to honour the agreements made by his predecessor.
Diane Finley, the minister responsible for child care federally, could not be reached for comment yesterday. Her advisor, Jeffrey Pender, said details of the allowance program and any other policies regarding child care in Canada will be worked out in the upcoming federal budget after Parliament returns in early April.
- reprinted from the Brandon Sun