Daycare system near collapse, advocates say

The Toronto Star

The loss of federal subsidies means will mean the loss of thousands of day care spaces in Ontario as well as higher fees for parents unless the province steps in, advocates say.

TONY BOCK / TORONTO STAR

March 23,2010 Front Page - Laurie Monserbraaten, Soical Justice Reporter


Thursday's provincial budget must replace lost federal subsidy, critics warn McGuinty.
The loss of $63.5 million in federal child care cash next month and the fall launch of all-day kindergarten for 4- and 5-year olds is creating the “perfect storm” in Ontario’s child care system, advocates warn.

If Queen’s Park doesn’t pick up the loss in Thursday’s budget, at least 7,600 child care subsidies will disappear, fees will rise and parents may not be able to work, they say.

“We are facing a catastrophic collapse of the child care system in this province, with the loss of those subsidies, centres will have to lay off staff, parent fees will have to rise and many programs will be forced close,” said Andrea Calver of the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care.“

The federal money is part of $252 million in child-care funds Ontario received from Ottawa in 2006 when the Harper government cancelled a previous $5-billion national child care plan. Instead of spending all the money that year, Ontario spread it over four years to support about 7,600 new child-care subsidies. The last $63.5 million installment runs out April 1.

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The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care • PO Box 73034 Wood Street PO, Toronto, ON M4Y 2W5

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