Minister of state for child care Katrina Chen plays with a child at the Osoyoos Childcare Centre in June. The minister was at the centre to announce a $900,000 provincial grant that will allow for an expansion, creating 18 new childcare spaces in Osoyoos. (Vanessa Broadbent / Osoyoos Times)
By Vanessa Broadbent
Osoyoos Times
Osoyoos town council is supporting an initiative that would see B.C. families pay $10 a day for child care.
In a letter to council the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC detailed its $10-a-Day Child Care Plan.
The plan proposes that along with daily $10 childcare rates, parents who earn less than $45,000 annually pay no user fees, licensed spaces are increased, and early childcare educator wages are $25 an hour.
Read more: Osoyoos Childcare Centre gets grant for expansion to create 18 new spaces
“Child care is necessary for parents, especially mothers, to participate in the work-force or to further their education,” the letter states.
Mayor Sue McKortoff noted that the initiative would require a “fairly big” subsidy from provincial and federal governments.
“However I guess it’s certainly an ideal to strive for,” she said.
Council unanimously voted to support the proposal.
Read more: Osoyoos Childcare Centre hoping to relocate to elementary school property
A lengthy list of supporters already includes School District 53 and MP Richard Cannings.
