2,200 NEW CHILD-CARE SPACES ACROSS B.C.

VICTORIA – The Government of British Columbia has reached its target of funding the creation of more than 2,000 new licensed child-care spaces across the province by 2010, Linda Reid, Minister of State for Child Care announced today.

“Last fall, we announced $12.5 million to support the creation of 2,000 additional child-care spaces – and I am pleased to say that with this latest round of capital funding we have exceeded that goal,” said Reid. “Over the next two years, more than 2,200 additional licensed spaces are expected to open to serve B.C. families for years to come.”

A total of 114 new child-care projects in 60 B.C. communities have received funding to assist with the costs of building new facilities, renovating leased buildings or expanding existing centres.

All of the projects were made possible through community-based partnerships – many that will create child care and family service hubs, and make use of vacant public spaces such as school classrooms and municipal buildings.

"We are always pleased to see such innovative partnerships that find greater community use for surplus school buildings,” said Shirley Bond, Minister of Education. “This approach turns the challenge of declining enrolment into an opportunity to support early learners, working families and communities.”

The former Lampson Elementary School in the Greater Victoria School District will be the site of one such centre where CFB Esquimalt’s Military Family Resource Program will convert three classrooms for child-care use.

“Finding quality child care is an important issue for many families today. It's an even bigger challenge for military families who have to find child-care that fits an ever-changing operational schedule,” said Leanne Kopp, Military Family Resource Centre Board of Directors Chairperson. “We are excited to open up new child-care spaces with this funding.”

Today’s announcement coincides with Child Care Month in British Columbia.

Since 2001, the Government of British Columbia has provided capital funding to support the creation of more than 5,500 new licensed child-care spaces. In addition, ongoing operating funds support more than 87,000 licensed spaces across B.C – part of a near $300 million provincial budget for child-care programs and services this year.

For more information, visit www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare.

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1 backgrounder(s) attached.
Media contact:	Seumas Gordon Media Relations Officer Ministry of Children and Family Development 250 356-2939 250 818-4508 (cell)

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