N.L. government doesn't understand true level of child-care demand, NDP leader says
Operators hearing silence from government for months isn't good enough, said Jim Dinn
Political opposition in Newfoundland and Labrador says the government is letting child-care operators down by not communicating updates for months, while NDP Leader Jim Dinn says it shows the province doesn't understand the overall need for care.
"I can't help but think that the main reason for these delays is because they know they don't have the funding for it, and they're slowing it down and frustrating the people who are trying to move this forward," Dinn told CBC News Thursday.
Dinn's comments follow reporting from CBC News that at least three prospective daycare operators feel bogged down in bureaucracy. They've heard radio silence from the provincial government for months in some cases, waiting for updates about when they can receive the funding they've applied for.
Newfoundland and Labrador's 2025 budget allocated $3.9 million for the creation of new $10-a-day child-care spaces, but advocates have said that isn't enough. One advocate told CBC News earlier this week that amount of money would only fully cover about five projects.
"In the execution of it, it's really disappointing to parents, and to organizations that are trying to create these spaces," Dinn said.
"I don't think government fully appreciated the demand that was there, and they didn't fund it appropriately."
Tony Wakeham, leader of the Official Opposition, said the fact that operators looking to open $10-a-day spaces are facing government-created barriers is alarming.
"They face enough barriers when it comes to financing, when it comes to staff. The last thing they need is a Liberal government saying, 'No, we're not going to respond on a timely basis.' Or, they haven't responded on a timely basis," Wakeham said.
"I wrote the minister a week ago about these issues. I have not even gotten a response back."
Wakeham said the issue also translates to other problem areas — specifically noting health care.
A lack of child care in an area of the province, especially in rural areas, can keep communities from being able to recruit the health-care professionals they need, he said.
He wants to see better timelines established and a more frequent update schedule that can keep parties seeking funding informed on their status.
Dinn said he'd want to see the $3.9 million allocated for the creation of spaces increased to reflect the true demand for child care, and believes child care will be a key election issue this fall.
"If we want to encourage families to make Newfoundland and Labrador their home, to move beyond the city, then we've got to make sure that there's an investment there," Dinn said.
"If our children are our most valuable resource, and I hear that from government as well, than put the money into it. They're just as deserving of that investment as oil companies."
CBC News has asked Education Minister Bernard Davis for an interview on the matter, but Davis isn't answering questions.
Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Heather Gillis
