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Childcare subsidy cuts hurt students

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Author: 
O'Gorman, Laurel
Format: 
Article
Publication Date: 
31 Mar 2010
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EXCERPTS

Recent changes to Sudbury's child-care
subsidy program are actually making it more difficult for people
(especially single mothers) to find work.

...

Last year, when I finished my exams, I was given 90 days to find
a job before I lost my child-care funding. This is because the policy
took into consideration that jobs do not appear out of thin air, they
take work to acquire. This year, someone decided that I am to lose my
childcare space the day the exam period is over.

How am I supposed to find a job without day care? I was told
that I can look for work while my children are in school. But what I am
supposed to do when I find a job and have already lost my day-care
spots? I will have to turn down the job because I won't be able to go
to work without day care --especially because my son is in kindergarten
and, as such, is not yet in school full time.

It took me three years to get through the waiting list at the
day care my children need to be in for me to attend grad school in
September. It is the only child-care centre in the city that is open
later than 6 p.m. and my classes will run in the evening. That means
that if I lose this day-care spot, I may not be able to go to grad
school in September.

This program needs to be changed back immediately to take into
consideration the time involved in finding a job. I am not asking for
my child-care costs to be covered indefinitely, just for a month or two
to find a summer job.

- reprinted from the Sudbury Star

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