Advocates for affordable childcare and housing are pinning their hopes on the NDP鈥檚 provincial budget next week, after hearing
鈥淭hey鈥檙e going to make a difference this year for families in their affordability issues,鈥� said Sharon Gregson, the spokesperson for the group pushing for $10-a-day childcare.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e looking at moving unlicensed to licensed, creating more spaces, investing in the work force and 鈥� a new registry or way to identify problem unregulated caregivers.鈥�
That same day, the federal government quietly promised $153 million for childcare in B.C. over three years, contingent on the province finding ways to address 鈥渜uality, accessibility, affordability, flexibility and/or inclusivity of their early learning and child care system.鈥� The funding will roll out in approximately equal thirds, starting with the 2017-18 fiscal year.
Speaking with reporters later on, Premier John Horgan acknowledged
鈥淚t鈥檚 important to remember that the $10-a-day slogan was to brand the childcare plan,鈥� said Horgan.
鈥淭he first three years of the ramp-up period, we鈥檙e looking at toddler and infant care. We鈥檙e creating more spaces and we鈥檙e training more people. Those elements will be in the budget.鈥�
The $10 policy has been a source of friction between the NDP and the BC Greens. Green Leader Andrew Weaver said Tuesday afternoon he was happy that the government was moving away from slogan-based police to measurable steps.
However, newly-elected BC Liberals Leader Andrew Wilkinson said $150 million over three years is a 鈥渧ery minimal commitment鈥� from Ottawa.
In regards to childcare, . says "picking an interprovincial trade war" with Alberta is NOT the way to secure federal funding for childcare.
鈥� Kat Slepian (@katslepian)
Increasing supply, decreasing 鈥榦ut of province鈥� demand
The speech also called B.C.鈥檚 escalating housing costs 鈥渢he single greatest challenge to affordability in British Columbia.鈥�
Generation Squeeze founder and UBC professor Paul Kershaw said the recommendations were vague, but he was buoyed by the vow to address 鈥渉armful demand鈥� and increase supply.
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He said he wanted to see the specifics of how the government would push people treating housing 鈥渁s a commodity鈥� out of the market.
The NDP campaigned heavily on an annual $400 rebate for renters, with details expected during the Feb. 20 budget.
Kershaw also praised the speech鈥檚 pledge to work with municipalities to , considering that high-priced housing keeping people renting for longer.
There's been little purpose built rental housing in some major cities of late.
鈥� Kat Slepian (@katslepian)
Here's the last one built in , which saw 2,000 applicants for 97 suites.
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