Canadian and BC governments are making another step forward in funding for childcare spaces.
Days after the budget reading in Victoria, the Feds have announced a $153 million investment over the next three years for nearly 1,400 additional spaces for infants and toddlers across the province.
BC’s Child and Family Development Minister Katrine Conroy says the funding will be distributed as much as needed to all regions, including the North.
“We’re also having very active conversations with local municipalities from all over BC, including our fantastic Northern region. This is not just an urban area issue, we know that families from rural and remote communities are also struggling finding childcare spaces and this is something we need to work on.”
.@KatrineConroy: "We understand rural areas, especially those in #NorthernBC are struggling to find childcare spaces; $153M over 3 years is not just for Bc's urban areas because our gov't supports everyone regardless of location." | #cdnpoli #bcpoli #MCFD
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) February 23, 2018
She adds the NDP intend on reaching out to local non-profit organizations and school districts to figure out what each regional need is.
“In our provincial government’s $1 billion investment into childcare, we are adding a lot of initiatives to work with local municipalities on addressing the needs and making sure that our funding and investment will go to where needs are the highest.”
.@KatrinaCBurnaby: "We have been working hard to change the face of childcare in BC; families have been struggling for too long as life continues to become unaffordable" | #cdnpoli #bcpoli #MCFD
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) February 23, 2018
The funding is also set to recruit 4,000 current and future early childhood educators in earning or upgrading their certification.
The allocation is also part of Canada’s budget plan for BC children, which stands at $7.5 billion over the next 11 years.
.@KatrineConroy: "Early years are very important in a child's development; 90% of brain development happens in those first few years; providing quality care in every corner of BC is crucial" | #cdnpoli #bcpoli #MCFD
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) February 23, 2018