VANCOUVER – The NDP joined new immigrant parents today at Gordon Campbell's office to press the premier on the urgent need for accessible, affordable and quality child care for immigrants and for families across B.C.  

A group of Mount Pleasant mothers who’ve been struggling to access and afford child care delivered hundreds of letters stuffed in baby bottles to Campbell's Point Grey office. 

“While Campbell continues to dismiss the child care crisis facing B.C., more parents are being forced to give up on their educational goals, or forego their return to work because they can’t find affordable and quality child care,” said New Democrat child care critic Claire Trevena.

“We have written letters to Gordon Campbell, Carole Taylor, Tom Christensen, and Linda Reid,” said mother Lina Arias. “After waiting months for a response, we’re here today to personally deliver our message. There is a child care crisis at hand and Campbell and his arrogant crew need to get off the sidelines.”

 ”I'm working hard to improve my English and join the workforce, but like so many immigrants, with the high cost of child care I may have to quit. I'm worried because one salary alone cannot provide housing, food and fuel," said mother Yadira Toj.  

“In my community immigrant parents have to make tough choices every day but worrying about child care should not be one of them," said Jenny Kwan, MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant.

Carole James and the New Democrats have been touring the province with the child care initiative Raising B.C. For more information visit www.raisingbc.ca

Claire Trevena

North Island

Claire was first elected in May 2005 and was re-elected on May 12, 2009.

Jenny Kwan

Vancouver-Mount Pleasant

Jenny Kwan was first elected as the MLA for Vancouver - Mount Pleasant in 1996, becoming one of the first Chinese-Canadians to sit in BC's L