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EXCERPTS
Social Development Minister Ken Dryden says there are no more negotiations left to hash out with the provincial government to finalize a daycare deal.
Dryden said he has signed off on Ottawa's end of the deal and it is simply up to the premier to pick up the pen and finalize the agreement which would give the province around $100 million over five years.
"Now it's up to the government of New Brunswick," said Dryden.
The minister said officials on both sides had already agreed on a deal.
"Their officials were fine," said Dryden.
Premier Bernard Lord has said the province was not ready to sign off on a day-care deal and more negotiations were necessary. Lord said he discussed daycare with Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Andy Scott, regional minister for the province, during a meeting Tuesday.
Prime Minister Paul Martin was scheduled to touch down in Saint John last Friday for the announcement, but plans were scuttled at the last minute.
- reprinted from the N.B Times & Transcipt