Premier Tony Wakeham has refused to open the House of Assembly for the fall sitting. While the NL NDP understands the current administration is still new to the job, there’s still important work to do.
Here is the question that Leader and MHA for St. John’s Centre, Jim Dinn, would have asked in Question Period today:
“Speaker, New Democrats understand the importance of childcare. That’s why, during the election, we promised not only to invest in the $10-a-day childcare program, but also to support and recruit ECEs by ensuring they have 10 paid sick days and access to a pension plan. We know that childcare cannot happen without the dedicated individuals who provide that care.”
“Now we are hearing that there is no more money in the budget until the new fiscal year for creating new $10-a-day affordable childcare spaces. This is simply not good enough, and we must ensure it does not happen again.”
“This new administration has been outspoken about childcare and the need to ensure affordable and accessible spots for families who desperately need them. We are living in one of the worst childcare deserts in the country – it is time to respond accordingly.”
“So, I ask the Minister of Education: Will your government commit to a full review of why funds were depleted before the end of the fiscal year, to ensure this never happens again? Will you commit to investing sufficient resources to meet growing demand, and provide a clear, detailed plan for supporting, retaining, and recruiting early childhood educators?”