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Media Advisory

Toronto – Without additional funding in Thursday’s Provincial Budget, thousands of child care subsidies will be cut by municipal governments starting in September, 2009.

“This year’s Ontario Budget is one of the most important in many years for child care programs. It’s unthinkable that in tough economic times, we would cut existing child care subsidies”, says Tracy Saarikoski, Co-President, Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care. 

Members of the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care will bring thousands of petitions with thousands of signatures calling for more funding for child care directly to the Ministry of Finance.

WHEN: Monday March 23, 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Ministry of Finance, 7 Queen’s Park Crescent
WHO: Tracy Saarikoski, Co-President of the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care and Coalition members from around the Province.

“It’s frustrating to have to work to save child care subsidies. Not only do we want to maintain our child care subsidies but we want an expansion of affordable child care so families can continue to work or go to school”.

In the 2009 Ontario Provincial budget, the OCBCC is calling on Dwight Duncan to create 7500 new child care spaces and resume pay equity obligations to child care staff.

“In the early learning and child care sector, we have had to fight for every cent dedicated to young children and families. We have no intention of going backwards and dismantling our child care system” commented Saarikoski.