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January 11, 2018
Saint John - Unifor is applauding the New Brunswick government’s $71 million investment to improve child care in the province, including today’s announcement of free childcare for all families with children under five, earning less than $37,500.
“As a long-time advocate of accessible, affordable, high quality childcare, Unifor is very pleased to see these important steps being taken by the government of New Brunswick,” said Lana Payne, Atlantic Regional Director.
The free child care is available to parents who are working or studying and free post secondary tuition is also being offered.
A second major announcement regarding early child care for middle income earners is coming next week.
“We would like to see the government make child care more affordable for all working parents because that is critical to building a strong economy and achieving women’s equality and it’s good to see the Gallant government understands this,” said Payne.
In addition to today’s announcement by Premier Brian Gallant, the province’s child care action plan also includes measures to address a shortage of infant spaces by giving all childcare providers $10 a day for each infant cared for, adding 200 spaces and creating a registry. Several other investments will improve quality and increase wages for early childhood educators who are among the lowest paid workers in the economy. Unifor has been advocating for investments as a means of helping working parents and those who wish to enter and or return to the workforce but face unaffordable childcare as a barrier.
For more information, please contact Unifor Atlantic Communications representative Natalie Clancy: @email or (902) 478-9283 (cell)
