Excerpts from the press release:

The province is funding 500 more child-care spaces, investing $2.8 million more for expansion and construction of facilities, and providing lower-cost child care this year, fulfilling its five-year plan, Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh announced today.

"Despite this year's loss of a strong federal commitment to child care, we must now regain momentum. Budget 2007 recognizes the importance of child care in allowing Manitobans to go to work and help children get a strong start," said Mackintosh. "It takes us forward as we prepare to launch a new multi-year vision for child care."

The investment in 500 newly-funded spaces brings the total number funded to 23,600, an increase of 7,160 since 1999. As well, there will be a $2.8-million capital program for the expansion and construction of child-care facilities, and $400,000 for enhancements to Child Care Online so that families have straightforward help in looking for child care.