Keep the child care promise

(Feb 20, 2006) -- 'In keeping the child care promise, Stephen Harper can demonstrate leadership and a mastery of statecraft that would serve him very well when he next goes to the polls. Does he have it in him?'

Stephen Harper has a magnificent political opportunity in front of him.

In one stroke, Harper can underline the progressive side of his Conservative party, demonstrate a keen grasp of the nature of the mandate Canadians have given him, and embody responsiveness, accountability and honour.

Honouring the child care agreements is not only good policy, it is great politics.

We know that a quality, universal child care program is good public policy. We have stacks of research that unequivocally shows early learning and child care programs to be the most cost-efficient and effective weapon against poverty, social exclusion, and lack of opportunity. It is no accident that most of the worlds’ leading industrial nations have accessible, affordable national child care programs.

We know child care workers across this country are among the most undervalued in society, and that is reflected in the fact that they are departing the profession in droves.

And we know Canadians want a universal early learning and child care program. Parents want it – they want affordable, accessible, quality child care. Business wants it. They appreciate that the growing struggle to attract and retain employees requires that workers, particularly women, feel confident they have good and real options for child care. And Canadians with no children understand we’re all better off when the nations’ children are provided that critical leg up that study after study shows quality developmental child care provides.

64% voted for child care program

That’s why fully 64% of Canadians voted in the last election for parties who supported a national early learning and child care program.

Canada’s New Democrats get all that. The NDP -- who potentially hold the balance of power – have already announced their intention to introduce legislation to protect the child care deals as soon as parliament resumes. It is an issue that will serve the New Democrats well, as ordinary Canadian families, businesses and organizations across the country rally to their side to fight, yet again, for child care. The National Union will be with them all the way.

By committing now to honour the child care agreements already painstakingly negotiated and signed with 10 provincial premiers, Stephen Harper can avoid a battle royale he does not need, and one that will not ultimately serve his political interests, nor the interests of the country.

He can signal that in the face of a tenuous mandate, he is committed to making this parliament work for all Canadians, and he can lend unassailable credibility to his promise to provide responsive, accountable and even-handed government by honouring government-to-government agreements.

In keeping the child care promise, Stephen Harper can demonstrate leadership and a mastery of statecraft that would serve him very well when he next goes to the polls.

Does he have it in him?

You can help. Please write, call, fax or e-mail the Prime Minister. Ask him to do the right thing:

I also urge everyone to visit the Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada’s website. The folks there are working very hard to realize our shared goal.

James Clancy
National President
 

More information:
Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada