EXCERPTS

At a time when child care is in crisis, when funding committed by the federal government is not forthcoming from the province, when rooms are being closed across the city, a political debate that reflects the values of Canadians is needed.

Strict standards are welcomed. Publicly posting the licensing status of child-care centres is long overdue. However, the pressing issue is that children of families living in poverty deserve a solid start in life, an even playing field that can break the cycle of poverty. Money is needed to bridge that gap. Lack of funding is a poor excuse for the neglect and self-centred whining you reported on.

Non-profit child care has the community at heart. It holds children and families in respect. Non-profit child care has the solid track record of exemplary service. Why you chose to give voice to the jingling pockets of for-profit centres at a time when services are being curtailed so dramatically is a mystery.

- Peter Frampton, Learning Enrichment Foundation, Toronto

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The not-so-secret fact is the failure of provincial and federal governments to adequately fund our child-care system. If the province had kept its election promise to spend $300 million, Ontario could have been well on its way to creating a strong system of high-quality, government-regulated child care.

As we move toward the provincial election, let's speak out to ensure that the next government does take the necessary action to fix these problems: public financing only for public and not-for-profit programs, and timetables to achieve a high-quality, universal child-care system staffed with well-qualified and properly paid child-care workers.

- Jacquie Maund, Co-ordinator, Ontario Campaign 2000, Toronto

- reprinted from the Toronto Star