Whereas the current lack of qualified and affordable daycare for working families in BC is hindering economic growth and creating financial stress for many families; And whereas British Columbia has the second-highest child-care fees in Canada; And whereas wait-lists for daycare in some areas exceed 3,000 children: Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government be requested to develop an affordable child care system that provides a regulated space for every child whose family needs it.
Ministry of Children Family Development Government is interested in working with all levels of government, child-care providers, the private and not-for-profit sectors to implement a universal child-care plan that provides affordable, accessible and high-quality early care and learning to every child whose family wants or needs it. Working towards this goal, Government is planning to accelerate the creation of new licensed child care spaces across the province so that families have access to licensed, quality child care spaces in their communities. Government is also working to provide additional investments in the Early Childhood Educator workforce to support training, education, and fair wages, which will enhance the quality of early care and learning provided to children, and ensure that new licensed child care spaces are staffed with a workforce made up of skilled, qualified workers. Government is developing an implementation plan related to each of these goals, which will identify short, medium and long term goals of a universal, affordable, accessible and high-quality early care and learning system.