A protest is being staged across British Columbia Tuesday, February 13 in response to the cancellation of the federal Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. The cancellation of this program means that qualifying families in British Columbia will receive $40. less per child each month for day care. Child care activists are calling for day care centers to be closed for the day. They are also calling for concerned parents to attend a rally at the legislature in Victoria starting at 12:30 p.m.
Child care activist Deb Jarvis of the Kootenay Kids Society is expecting a huge response. She suggests that parents involve their employers in order get the day off for the rally. "One day versus no care at all makes it worth it," she said in a phone interview. She also encourages those affected to write letters to provincial representatives or get together a petition and send it in.
BC Minister of State for Child Care Linda Reid has issued a statement saying the recently announced federal Universal Child Benefit will be used to make up the difference for the loss of the Early Learning and Child Care Agreement money. However, the money, $100 per month per child, is not earmarked specifically for day care and families will only receive this money if the child is six or younger.
The Early Childhood Educators of BC (ECEBC) have announced that a donation of buses has been made to take people from Vancouver to the legislature in Victoria. They will leave Oakridge Mall at 41st and Oak at 7:30 a.m. to make the 9 a.m. ferry. They ask that you phone ahead to reserve a seat - 1-800-797-5602 or 604-709-6063, or email at ecebc@direct.ca. According to ECEBC administrator Sarah Leary, they are getting very full but it doesn't hurt to check. In addition, check with you local day center for protests going on in your area. This is just the beginning of a planned series of rolling protests, adds Leary.
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