Several rallies were held across the province Saturday to demand more affordable child care in B.C.
Crowds marched to Grandview Park in Vancouver as part of the Stroller Brigade for Child Care, an event that, according to BC Federation of Labour President Irene Lanzinger, is “demanding the federal and provincial governments work together to implement a $10-a-day child care program.”
Similar events were held in Prince Rupert and Prince George. Rallies will be held Sunday in Victoria and Vernon.
The BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition is one of several groups advocating for the adoption of a $10-a-day child care program similar to one in Quebec.
NDP MLA for Vancouver-Point Grey David Eby was on hand for the Vancouver event. He said his family is about to pay $1,400 a month for daycare when his wife goes back to work in September. While he says his family can bear the cost, he wonders how others in an expensive city like Vancouver can afford child care.
“It’s an essential service and we need to treat it that way,” said Eby. “We’re not even close.”
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