$1.4 billion to create 150,000 child care spaces
Toronto (18 Sep. 2008) - Jack Layton has promised to invest $1.4 billion to create 150,000 child care spaces if the New Democratic Party forms a government after the Oct. 14 federal election.
Speaking at a Toronto child care facility with his wife, NDP MP Olivia Chow, Layton said more money would be invested in future years to create additional spaces as federal financing permits.
"You shouldn’t have to worry about whether your child is going to be safe or get good quality care, or whether you will be able to pay the bill at the end of the month," Layton said.
The program would be on top of an existing $100-per-month child benefit provided by the government, most of which Layton said is now clawed back through taxes and lost benefits.
“I believe that high quality public child care will be as important to building Canada in the 21st century, as medicare was in the last century,” said Layton.
Not a single child care space has been created by the Harper Conservatives, he noted.
“Canadian families deserve a Prime Minister who will stand up for you and your children, not for giving away billions of dollars in corporate tax cuts,” Layton said. “Canada can’t afford not to invest in our children.”
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring that our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
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