BC

A large, energetic group of BC families, their children and early childhood educators gathered at Jericho Park in Vancouver Saturday morning in support of affordable public childcare in BC. 

The event, organized by labour and community organizations, included a short and spirited rally, followed by families, childcare workers and union officers leading a stroller parade to Christy Clark's nearby MLA office. 

"For women to participate fully and equally in our workforce, we must ensure families have access to affordable childcare," said Irene Lanzinger.

"This BC Liberal government's failure to invest in public childcare has left BC's children without the quality of care they deserve."

BCGEU Treasurer Stephanie Smith said that the current system fails to adequately value the role of professional Early Childhood Educators. "Social attitudes about early childhood education and educators have been tied to outdated and gendered notions about women's work for decades. This devalues the profession--reflected in low wages and recruitment and retention problems."

Susan Harney, Chairperson of the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC explained her organization's Plan, which is heavily endorsed by parents, grandparents, BC Labour, community, business, municipalities and school boards.  "Similar to the $7 a day childcare plan that already exists in Quebec, the BC Plan calls on government to commit to a childcare system with fees for families capped at $10 per day. Families making less than $40,000 a year would pay no user fee. This Plan is good for children, women and the BC economy. "