Brian Mason and Alberta's NDP want to increase the number of quality childcare spaces, and bring the costs down to an affordable level.
Liberals and Tories are on the side of private, for-profit childcare. They can't be trusted to put children and families before profits.
Parents should be able to go to work confident that their children will be protected and nurtured in an accessible, affordable and safe environment. Quality childcare shouldn't cost an arm and a leg. Middle class families deserve better.
- Brian Mason
Liberals and Conservatives are on the side of private, profitable childcare providers.
While the Liberals and Conservatives found time and resources to vote for a corporate tax cut, our province's child care system has been neglected.
A shortage of quality spaces, along with high rates at accredited facilities leave middle class families scrambling.
Low wages in the sector force staff to take second jobs or change industries to survive, meaning high turnover, loss of continuity and knowledge.
Brian Mason and Alberta's NDP are on the side of parents and children
Alberta's NDP has a plan for child-care that works for families. Our plan includes:
Bring funding up to the national average ($268 million) to create more spaces and cut fees in half.
Use the federally allocated $26 million for childcare to create 4,000 new spaces.
Cap fees at $25/day for infant care and $9/day for after school care.
Supporting the accreditation of childcare centres.
Developing a childcare plan that addresses the childcare needs of 6-12 year olds as well as pre-schoolers.
Improve the wages of child care workers to address shortages and turnover.
IN QUOTES
Mason blowing the whistle on the Tories
Alberta New Democratic Party Leader Brian Mason blew the whistle on the Tories' corporate-friendly gas-price policy and their toothless-tiger regulatory agency.