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$10 million returned to child care [CA-BC]

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Author: 
Lavoie, Judith
Format: 
Article
Publication Date: 
13 Feb 2003
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The government is restoring some of the child-care funding it cut last year, meaning more low-income families will again be eligible for subsidies.

Last year, the government cut $26 million from the child-care budget, ending subsidies for 8,000 families.

Because of ministry reorganization and efficiencies, $10 million is now being put back into the program, said Minister of State for Women's Equality Lynn Stephens.

The change means 3,000 families will have their subsidy restored in May. Another 6,000 families who had their subsidy cut will get an increase.

The program, which provides subsidies to about 33,000 children in low-income families, is also being switched from the Human Resources Ministry to the Women's Equality Ministry.

The complicated formula for child-care subsidies takes into account income, the type of care and the age of the child. For example, a single parent with a four-year-old in group care, with a net monthly income of up to $1,297, is now eligible for the full child-care subsidy of $368.

-Reprinted from the Vancouver Sun