March 3rd, 2017

Wynne Liberals vote against not-for-profit child care

An NDP bill to support high quality not-for-profit child care was shot down by Wynne Liberal MPPs Thursday.

Bill 98, introduced by Kitchener-Waterloo MPP Catherine Fife, would have ensured dollars earmarked for child care would go directly to quality, affordable, licensed non-profit or public child care. Fife expressed disappointment that 26 Liberal MPPs stood against the bill. 

“By committing provincial funding to not-for-profit and public child care, we could have given more families access to the affordable, quality care they need for their kids,” said Fife. “That Kathleen Wynne’s Liberals would stand and vote against not-for-profit care was a real disappointment to me, and to parents and child care advocates around the province.” 

The bill was supported by child care experts and families, including the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care.

Some of the Toronto area Liberal MPPs who voted against high quality not-for-profit child care included:  Eric Hoskins, St.Paul’s; Glen Murray, Toronto Centre; Han Dong, Trinity-Spadina;  Cristina Martins, Davenport;  Arthur Potts, Beaches-East York;  Shafiq Qaadri, Etobicoke North; Mitzie Hunter, Scarborough-Guildwood; Brad Duguid, Scarborough Centre; and Harinder Malhi, Brampton-Springdale.