On Thursday, Beck’s team held a news conference from the North Battleford home of Anne Gesner, where she runs her own childcare operation, to decry changes made on July 1 that cut funding for casual and part-time childcare spaces relied on by shift workers.
The childcare cuts have also forced some providers to hike fees on families already struggling to make ends meet.
“What these changes are saying is that I can’t help people out who are in a pinch and need something flexible,” Gesner said. “North Battleford is severely underserved when it comes to childcare spaces and these changes makes it even more difficult.
“I got into this field of work because I couldn’t find childcare for my own kids. I have families calling me around the clock looking for care in this community and surrounding areas.”
Compared to the rest of the province, North Battleford currently ranks among the worst municipalities for per capita childcare spaces, with just 26 childcare spaces per one thousand people. Comparatively, Hindley’s own riding of Swift Current has 48 childcare spaces per one thousand. The data was provided to Beck’s team through a written question submitted in the Legislature.
“The reality is we need more affordable childcare right across Saskatchewan — and especially in communities like right here in North Battleford,” said Shadow Minister for Trade and Export Development Kim Breckner, who joined Gesner Thursday.
“Parents in rural communities rely on affordable and consistent childcare in order to go to work — Hindley’s senseless cuts to childcare are going to devastate parents and strain businesses.
“As a first-time parent with a newborn, I recognize that childcare is critical for families, for communities, for our economy and our collective future.”
Healthcare workers, first responders, construction workers, retail employees, and thousands of other shift workers in rural communities rely on part-time and casual childcare to remain in the workforce. Childcare providers have warned that the changes could force many centres to reduce services or close altogether, making access even more difficult for Saskatchewan families.
“Parents in North Battleford were promised affordable childcare — and the Sask. Party is breaking that promise,” Breckner said.
“My message to families here and right across Saskatchewan is you deserve better. Carla Beck’s team is going to fight day and night to save $10-per-day childcare in Saskatchewan.
“It’s time for change.”
Recently, Beck’s team launched a website — ndpcaucus.sk.ca/childcareemail — where supporters of affordable childcare and send a letter demanding better to Moe, Hindley and their local Sask. Party MLA.
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