Stress And Anxiety As Families Wait Years For Childcare Spaces Due To Scott Moe's Failures
For immediate release: October 19, 2024
STRESS AND ANXIETY AS FAMILIES WAIT YEARS FOR CHILDCARE SPACES DUE TO SCOTT MOE’S FAILURES
Families deserve greater access to $10/day childcare spaces; Sask. NDP to hire more staff
SASKATOON – Today, Meara Conway, Saskatchewan NDP candidate for Regina Elphinstone Centre, stood with a young mom who lived through the stress and anxiety of finding affordable childcare here in Saskatchewan and announced that a Saskatchewan NDP government led by Carla Beck would finally open more $10-per-day childcare spaces by hiring more childcare staff.
Last summer, the Prince Albert Childcare Cooperative Association sounded the alarm on growing waitlists, 600+ for the association alone, citing challenges around accessibility due to staffing shortage.
“Saskatchewan families should have quality and affordable childcare,” said Conway. “Scott Moe and the Sask. Party are just focused on photo-ops and headlines. Announcing new spaces without the staff to actually fill them is just leading to longer wait times.”
Scott Moe and the Sask. Party’s failures have led to Saskatchewan having the worst access to childcare in Canada – last place – according to a report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
“Every family I know has waited years for childcare spots. You have to apply before your child is even born,” said Cathlia Ward, a mom living in Saskatoon. “We got lucky but it took us over two years and it started as only part-time. It forces families to either delay going back to work, to use vacation and sick days to cover gaps, or forces families to explore options in private care – often costing you the equivalent of a second mortgage payment. We were promised $10 a day childcare.
“It’s time for a government that will actually deliver that affordability to parents. That’s why I’m voting for Carla Beck and the Saskatchewan NDP.”
Carla Beck and the Saskatchewan NDP has made affordability a top priority this election and have committed to not only expanding access to $10-a-day childcare spaces but hiring more childcare workers so that parents can actually access those spaces.
“Parents need a break and childcare is one of the biggest expenses for young families,” said Conway. “We’ll make expanding $10 a day childcare a top priority and ensure that every family here in Saskatchewan has the ability to save some money and access affordable childcare.”
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