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Why is Binns backing PM on child care? [CA-PE]

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Editorial
Author: 
Guardian (Charlottetown)
Format: 
Article
Publication Date: 
10 Mar 2006
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EXCERPTS

Premier Pat Binns has to admit - his support of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's child-care plan seems out of step with most of the other premiers in the country. And it runs contrary to the growing opposition from child-care advocates who say the Harper plan threatens to dismantle child care as we know it.

Most Canadian premiers have objected to this. They insist the deal they recently signed was with the Canadian government, not the Liberal party. Only two premiers appear to be happy with the Harper plan - New Brunswick's Bernard Lord and P.E.I.'s Pat Binns. Premier Binns' explanation so far has been that the money coming into the province via the Harper plan will exceed the cash under the current plan.

But why is it that these two premiers are defending a program roundly criticized by the other premiers and a growing number of other Canadians? In this newspaper, for instance, the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the P.E.I. Federation of Labour have both said the Harper plan will reverse what's been accomplished in child-care, and have warned that the amount parents receive in the direct subsidy, particularly if it's taxable, won't come close to covering the actual costs for child care.

In light of the mounting criticism of the Harper plan, Premier Binns' rationale for supporting it bears repeating - and further elaboration.

- reprinted from the Charlottetown Guardian