RICHMOND – The scene at West Richmond Community Centre, where some parents camped up to five nights for the chance to enrol their child in child care, provided a stark example of how the Campbell government has completely failed working families.

With annual registration opening up at 8:30 a.m. the following morning, Parent Barb Hiads who has two kids spent the night in the hope of getting one of her children a kindercare spot. Hiads has been on a 24 hour vigil outside of the centre since Monday.

“The Minister of State for Child Care only has to take a look in her backyard to see the severity of the child care situation," said NDP Caucus Chair Jenny Kwan.  "This is just more evidence of the critical child care shortage plaguing our province.” Jenny Kwan

“As a mother I feel for these working parents who have no choice but to line up to ensure a spot," said Kwan. 

Many of the parents who camped in line this week, were not able to get a space last year after waiting in line at the West Richmond Community Centre.

The NDP has been traveling the province with child care initiative Raising B.C., and says child care providers are calling for more infrastructure, trained personnel, and a funding commitment from Campbell government.  

Claire Trevena“The more I travel the province, the more I hear from working parents on the stresses of accessing affordable and quality care for their children,” said NDP child care critic Claire Trevena.

“B.C. parents have every right to be upset with the current state of child care – the question is, will this government start listening, take action and invest in B.C.’s future today?”  

Go to www.raisingbc.ca for more information.

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