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It's time for provinces to "stop the blame game" and start working with the federal government to establish a national system of early childhood development, says Premier Gary Doer. "It makes a lot of sense to work with the federal government," said Doer, minutes after federal Social Development Minister Ken Dryden reiterated a Liberal pledge to provide $5 billion dollars over five years to fund a national child-care system.
Doer said he's more optimistic than he's ever been about a national system after meeting with Dryden.
The Liberal pledge would mean an annual take of $37 million for the province. The first cheques would be issued in April following a budget expected sometime in February, said Dryden.
Little by little you move your way along. We need to find the steps," said Dryden. The debate about child care is over. It is not a matter of if, but of when. It's time to get on with it and get at it."
The premier said people shouldn't take "a top of the mountain or nothing" stance, but should work to build a system that will stand the test of time.
- reprinted from the Winnipeg Sun