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NDP Leader Todd Hardy says adding a couple million dollars to the child care system isn't going to solve the problem .
"What has to happen, we have to sit down and have a very serious look at how we're going to go back to that budget this year and free up some money to get the child care system up and running properly," Hardy told the media Tuesday.
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Child care spaces are limited in the Yukon, and due to low wages for day care professionals, retaining their services can present a challenge.
"For me to say it's going to be a 30 per cent or 50 per cent increase would be very irresponsible in regards to what is actually needed by the child care associations," said Hardy. "There is money in that budget and we are saying child care is a priority."
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The changes will likely include addressing the direct operating grant and the child care subsidy, he said, and setting realistic targets.
"We can't just keep talking about it. We have to do something."
The NDP's announcement came just hours after the Liberals also released their platform commitments regarding child care.
The Liberals said they would increase annual child care funding by $2.8 million.
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Yukon Party Leader Dennis Fentie agreed with Hardy that it is irresponsible to assign a budget to the project prior to be elected.
"They're just pulling money out of the air and throwing money at the issue," said Fentie.
The Yukon Party increased investment in child care by 30 per cent during its mandate, but has not yet revealed its platform plans in relation to the issue in this election.
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- reprinted from Whitehorse Daily Star