NORTH VANCOUVER – New Democrat MLA Bowinn Ma is celebrating the creation of 798 new child care spaces on the North Shore since the BC New Democrats formed government in 2017, part of the fastest creation of child care spaces in B.C.’s history.

“Affordable, accessible child care is not only crucial for parents and kids, it is essential for growing our economy on the North Shore and achieving gender equity,” said Ma, MLA for North Vancouver – Lonsdale. “The investment that our government has made in child care is unprecedented in the history of this province, and these new spaces are already making a meaningful difference for people and families here on the North Shore.”

Today the newest 106 spaces were announced in North Vancouver, including 74 at the new Capilano University Children’s Centre, which will provide valuable learning opportunities for Early Childhood Education students.

The announcement of this local investment comes as part of a milestone in the BC government’s Childcare BC plan. To date, the BC New Democrat government has invested $45.7 million in expanding access and reducing the cost of child care in the North Shore. The Childcare BC plan has helped parents save up to $1,600 a month, per child, for a total of nearly $20 million being returned to North Shore parents through the Affordable Child Care Benefit and the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative.

“As a parent and an ECE, I have seen first-hand what a difference affordable, quality child care has made for my own family, and countless other families on the North Shore,” said Safina Kaba, a parent, Early Childhood Educator and supervisor at Novaco Childcare Centre, operated by the North Shore Neighbourhood House.

As families have adapted to the new normal of COVID-19, childcare has become even more important for parents to return to work, especially essential workers who continue to serve our communities during these unprecedented times. To support North Shore child care providers during these challenging times, the Province has provided over $11 million in Temporary Emergency Funding.

The New Democrat government is working to keep people safe and healthy, while planning a long-term recovery to build B.C. back stronger. While our government has made significant progress, there is much more to do, together.

For more about Childcare BC, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare