NSNDP

July 23rd, 2021

NDP will provide free before and after-school care to help families with child care costs

Halifax – Today, NDP Leader Gary Burrill sat down with Katie Rennie to talk about feeling left behind by the Liberals as her family struggles to find before and after school child care for her son.

“Before and after school care is a vital service to thousands of school children and their parents,” said Burrill. “Too many families are forced to choose between paying fees they can’t afford or someone leaving the workforce and staying home. This Liberal approach hurts families, particularly single-parent families and women.”

Rennie is a full-time student and the high cost of care for her son puts extra stress on her family.

“We are a single-income family and as hard as we work we can’t get ahead,” said Rennie. “I am working to further my education but we also worry about making sure our son has the care and support he needs before and after school. This lack of support puts an incredible pressure on young families. It doesn’t feel fair.”

Employers continue to raise the concern over the lack of workers, while the Liberals have made it harder for people, especially women, to enter the workforce. The province of Quebec reports that every dollar invested in childcare returns $1.75 in economic benefits.

“Parents want to know that their children are safe and being cared for while they are at work. Before and after school care is fundamental to supporting real families whose needs the Liberals have ignored,” said Burrill.

An NDP government will deliver free school-based before and after school care so parents can afford to work or study without the worry of how to pay for it.

“Being a parent is hard enough without the extra anxiety of finding money for before and after school care,” said Burrill. “With free before and after school care, parents will know their children are being cared for. It’s the right thing to do. Families deserve something better.”

Burrill will campaign today in Fairview-Clayton Park and Halifax Chebucto.

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