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Child care funding is key election issue for parent [CA-NB]

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Opinion
Author: 
Daillaire, Jody
Format: 
Article
Publication Date: 
29 May 2004
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I am writing this letter as a concerned parent and a voter in the federal election. My biggest concern is the lack of stable child care funding in Canada.

Like most New Brunswick families, my husband and I work outside the home. We have two sons and have relied on child care off and on over the past eight years.

As a family living in Fredericton, several years ago, we were unable to find licensed care for our infant son or any other care provided in our language.

We were on a waiting list at a local francophone-licensed facility which he entered when he was two. He loved it and each day looked forward to being with his friends and participating in the activities.

Later, we moved to Moncton and were lucky to locate licensed care for both our sons at the same facility. But, then my work situation changed and we can no longer afford full-time licensed care. There is no licensed part-time care in our area.

Our story is not unique.

In New Brunswick, you are lucky if you can locate a quality child care space as only one in every 10 children has access to licensed care. Unfortunately, our family is currently out of luck.

My vote on June 28th will go to the political party that will commit funds and leadership to develop a child care system where our children do not have to be the lucky ones able to afford quality licensed child care.

- reprinted from The New Brunswick Telegraph Journal

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