children playing

Day-care increases on P.E.I. gobble up federal allowance [CA-PE]

Printer-friendly versionSend by emailPDF version
Author: 
CBC News
Format: 
Article
Publication Date: 
6 Jul 2006
AVAILABILITY

See text below.

EXCERPTS

Day-care centres across the P.E.I. are about to hike their rates, in many cases matching the federal child-care benefit that came into effect this month.

Later this month the Conservative government in Ottawa will begin sending parents $100 a month for every child under the age of six. The money is meant to help cover day-care expenses, but the burden won't ease for parents now faced with increases to their child care costs.

An estimated 65 per cent of day-care facilities across the province are now increasing their rates by about $100 a month, according to the Early Childhood Development Association of P.E.I.

Executive director Sonya Corrigan told CBC News Island day-care facilities have no choice.

"Centres have been torn for the last few years as to what way to turn," said Corrigan.

"A number of programs have actually been sort of toying with the reality of having to close their doors, because they can't afford to operate anymore based on the revenue they had coming in and the expenses."

- reprinted from CBC News