"Aging population increases need for child care turnaround" - Trevena

VICTORIA – The labour shortages provoked by an aging population as shown by the latest Statistics Canada data should be a wake up call for the Campbell Government, according to New Democrat Child Care Critic Claire Trevena.



“A simple solution to B.C.s labour crisis is through providing affordable child care. That would allow parents to stay in the B.C. workforce instead of being forced out because they cannot afford the fees,” said Trevena.



“The Statistics Canada information speaks volumes – we have an aging population. We need to encourage young families instead of doing as Gordon Campbell’s government is doing: cutting child care funding, which translate into crammed daycares and fee increases,” she said. “It is extremely difficult for young people to afford to raise a family in this province.”



The Statistics Canada data shows that more people are retiring than entering the workforce, and worker shortages in the next 10 years could put the economy in a crisis.



“Instead of making sure families can stay in B.C. and their children can be cared for, the Campbell Liberals cut the child care budget by $40 million per year and put the onus on young families to pay upwards of $10,000 a year per child for daycare,” said Trevena, the MLA for North Island.



“This is at a time when the province is running a $4.1 billion surplus. It would be more beneficial to B.C.’s economy to build a system that encourages both employment and population growth and helps families, rather than following the federal government’s attacks on child care.”