OTTAWA – Congratulations are in order to the members of the House of Commons who have listened to working people and moved another important private members’ bill closer to becoming law.
The NDP-sponsored child care act, Bill C-303, lays the foundation for a country-wide child care system governed by principles and accountability. It ensures reliable funding for the provinces while respecting their diversity. It also guarantees tax dollars earmarked for child care are invested in not-for-profit centres.
“This is a step in the right direction. Working families have working parents and it’s just a fact that affordable, reliable child care means the difference between a steady job or more precarious forms of work. It means all children regardless of their parents’ income can get the same opportunities and the same head start in life,” says Barbara Byers, executive vice-president of the Canadian Labour Congress.
“Working people should contact their MP and tell them to support Bill C-303. They should call them, send them a letter or, best of all, pay a quick visit to their local office. Opposition MPs need to know it matters to their constituents. Government MPs especially need to know their constituents aren’t buying the Conservative ‘plan’ for child care,” says Ken Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress.
Achieving quality, accessible child care is a priority for the labour movement because it’s a priority for working people and their families. Moving Bill C-303 beyond the committee and final approval in Parliament can happen if people want it (and their elected representatives listen), especially with a minority government.
The Canadian Labour Congress, the national voice of the labour movement, represents 3.2 million Canadian workers. The CLC brings together Canada's national and international unions along with the provincial and territorial federations of labour and 135 district labour councils.
Contact:Jean Wolff, 613-526-7431 and 613-878-6040
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