NDP Calls For Reversal Of Daycare Funding Cuts
VICTORIA — Devastating funding cuts at two Victoria daycares that provide child care services to teenage mothers finishing their high school education must be reversed immediately, say New Democrats. 
Maurine Karagianis
Options Child and Family Centre, located at Lansdowne High School, and Higgins House, located at Vic High, had their funding from the Ministry of Children and Families slashed. Both say they simply cannot continue to offer daycare services without the funding.
“This is a despicable thing the B.C. Liberals are doing to these young mothers. They are working hard to finish their high school education so they can give their babies a good life. I can’t understand why Minister Polak refuses to fund these programs,” said children and families critic Maurine Karagianis , New Democrat MLA for Esquimalt-Royal Roads.
Children and Families Minister Mary Polak was questioned in the legislature repeatedly this week, but refused to acknowledge that the cuts from the ministry would lead to closure of the daycares.
“This minister showed just how arrogant she and the B.C. Liberals are when she accused us of exaggerating the issue,” said Mable Elmore, New Democrat child care critic. “In fact, we are just listening to the people who operate these daycares.
“Higgins House has already sent notices to parents that they daycare will close at the end of the school year, and has initiated the layoff process for its staff. The Artemis Options Society has also said there is no way to make the budget work without this funding,” said Elmore.
“Minister Polak proved that she just doesn’t understand the tight margins these non-profits run on. The fact is she cut funding to these daycare providers, and they will close as a result of that cut,” said Karagianis, pointing out the minister is splitting hairs when she says daycare funding has not been cut.
The 43 per cent cut to Artemis Options Society stripped nearly $50,000 from their budget. The Cridge Centre for the Family, which runs Higgins House, was cut by 68 per cent, an $84,000 reduction.
Carole James and the New Democrats have been holding the B.C. Liberals accountable for breaking their word on the HST, and for backtracking on their election promises to protect health care, education, and other vital services.
