See text below.
EXCERPTS
I read your article in this evening's paper regarding the platforms of our local candidates with interest, and would like to comment on the child care issues that have been raised.
I have had the pleasure of meeting [Conservative Party candidate] Daryl Kramp, and have been quite impressed by his sincerity and clear regard for his own family and for the families of his constituents. However, I believe he is quite incorrect in supporting his party's proposed plan for a national child care policy.
My husband and I have three children who are 23, 18 and 3 years of age, so I do consider myself to be somewhat of an expert.
What we really need is standardized care that is run according to a set of standard principles, and that will provide dependable and stimulating care to children while their parents work. This is only achievable through a national strategy of licensed child care spaces.
I could provide Kramp with hours of first-hand accounts of the difficulties of finding quality care.
This is not an issue particular to this area, it is a national problem. There is simply no present perception of the right that children have to quality care that provides a stimulating and safe environment.
Providing a lump sum of $100 per month will do nothing to create or support a national child care strategy. In this city the most any parent would receive for their $100 is about three days of care.
Our children are our future, and they deserve to be treasured and nurtured as they begin their journey to productive adulthood.
Is a national child care strategy not something that they deserve to have?
- reprinted from the Belleville Intelligencer