B.C. Chamber of Commerce calls for child care plan

BCGEU says resolution signals 'a significant and positive shift in consciousness' by business community

Vancouver (15 June 2007) - The B.C. Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) says business has seen the future in British Columbia, and it includes a public child care system.

The B.C. Chamber of Commerce unanimously passed a child care resolution brought forward by the Trail and District and Prince George chapters at the organization's annual meeting. The introduction to the resolution begins with a historic (for business) recognition that:

"Quality child care is no longer just a social issue; the business community of B.C. now views child care as one of the key factors in addressing the labour shortage in B.C. The ability to recruit and retain workers in all industry sectors is underpinned with a worker's ability to secure quality child care that meets their needs," the resolution says.

"A comprehensive strategic plan for the child care system in B.C. is critical to staying competitive in today's global economy."

Federal cuts criticized

The chamber also notes that:

"Recent cuts from the federal government to child care in B.C. are having a domino effect on the workforce due to the lack of commitment and responsibility from the provincial government to compensate for those losses. The costs of this decision are having an enormous negative effect on the ability of BC businesses to attract women, young families and skilled workers in general to the workforce."

The resolution calls for the restoration of operating funding for child care resource centres to at least 2006 levels, and for increased funds to support competitive wages and benefits and programs to recruit new early childhood educators.

The BCGEU has posted the following comment on its web site.

"The BCGEU and our partners in the Child Care - Let's Make It Happen! campaign share a vision of a truly universal, affordable child care system and take issue with some of the chamber's recommendations, such as the proposal to use public funds for private capital funding for child care spaces.

"However, as a whole, this resolution signals a significant and positive shift in consciousness on the part of business," the union says.

"BCGEU members and their families should be proud of their part in educating community, business and elected leaders about the urgent need for a quality, affordable, accessible public child care system in B.C." NUPGE