Group urges action on child care

OTTAWA—Last week UNICEF published a new study rating Canada’s provision of early childhood education and care (ECEC) at the very bottom of 25 developed countries. In an open letter to Stephen Harper, Michael Ignatieff and Jack Layton, a group of prominent activists, academics, professionals and political leaders ask why.

CUPE National President Paul Moist joined the list of signatories including Hon. Roy Romanow, Stephen Lewis, Hon. Margaret Norrie McCain, and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine.

CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill, in Ottawa for meetings of the CUPE National Executive Board, says that it is important to seek improved child care and early childhood education options for all children regardless of where they live.

The letters’ signatories consider the impending January budget to be an important opportunity to include critical investment in support of working parents and the care of their young children. In the letter, the group outlines immediate actions that must be taken to remedy Canada’s dismal ECEC situation.

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