CARLA BECK’S TEAM CALLS ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE SCOTT MOE’S HARMFUL CHILDCARE CHANGES, NEW FEES BEING IMPOSED ON FAMILIES

Sask. Party-Caused Chaos This Week Sees Shift Workers Lose Access, Families In Moose Jaw And Regina Forced To Pay Massive New Fees.
SASKATOON– Carla Beck’s team is calling on the Federal Government to investigate whether Scott Moe's harmful changes to childcare funding violate Saskatchewan's agreement under the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care program.

Beck’s team is also calling for a full review of new fees being imposed by childcare providers on families to close funding gaps and remain financially viable.

In a letter sent today to federal Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu, Beck and Shadow Minister for Early Learning & Childcare Joan Pratchler requested an immediate review of Saskatchewan's implementation of the childcare agreement following the introduction of new childcare fees and the elimination of funding support for part-time and casual childcare spaces.

"The federal government made an historic commitment to families when it promised affordable, accessible $10-a-day childcare," said Beck. "Parents embraced that promise because they believed governments were finally going to make life easier. Instead, Scott Moe is making childcare more expensive and less accessible."

On Wednesday, Scott Moe's government proceeded with changes that eliminated funding support for part-time and casual childcare spaces, despite repeated warnings from providers that the move would reduce access for shift workers. The changes impact healthcare workers, continuing care aides, first responders, retail workers, construction workers and many others who perform shift work.

At the same time, new evidence has emerged showing that major childcare providers are being forced to impose significant new fees on families because existing funding arrangements are failing to cover operating costs.

Families at YMCA childcare centres in Regina and Moose Jaw recently received letters outlining new charges that will take effect September 1, including a $75-per-month fundraising fee, a $15-per-month administration fee and an annual $125 enrolment fee.

The YMCA operates seven childcare centres in Regina and four in Moose Jaw, making it one of Saskatchewan's largest licensed childcare providers. In its correspondence to families, the YMCA states that the new fees are necessary to offset "current and ongoing operational deficits" and ensure the sustainability of childcare services.

"One of Saskatchewan's largest childcare providers is telling families they need to charge hundreds of dollars in new fees simply to keep their doors open," Pratchler said.
"Those aren't luxury upgrades or optional services. They're mandatory fees being imposed because providers say the current funding model isn't working."

Pratchler said the developments raise serious questions about whether Saskatchewan is meeting the affordability and accessibility objectives contained within the federal childcare agreement.

"The affordability pillar of the childcare agreement was never intended to reduce fees with one hand while allowing new mandatory charges to be imposed with the other," Pratchler said. "When families are being forced to pay new enrolment fees, administration fees and monthly charges just to access childcare, the affordability benefits of the agreement are clearly being undermined."

Beck and Pratchler are asking the federal government to examine whether Saskatchewan's elimination of funding support for part-time and casual childcare spaces is consistent with the accessibility commitments contained in the agreement.

They are also requesting a review of whether the emergence of mandatory fees is consistent with the affordability commitments made to families and whether additional accountability measures are needed to ensure federal childcare dollars are achieving their intended purpose.

"Affordable childcare isn't just a family issue — it's an economic issue, a workforce issue and a healthcare issue," Beck said. "When parents can't find childcare, they can't get to work. When shift workers lose access to flexible childcare spaces, our hospitals, businesses and communities all feel the impact.

"Families deserve answers. They deserve affordable childcare. And they deserve a government that keeps its promises. It’s time for change.”

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