Ontario’s child care system faces ‘catastrophic collapse’ – thestar.com

The loss of $63.5 million in federal child care cash next month and the fall launch of all-day kindergarten for 4- and 5-year olds is creating the “perfect storm” in Ontario’s child care system, advocates warn.

If Queen’s Park doesn’t pick up the loss in Thursday’s budget, at least 7,600 child care subsidies will disappear, fees will rise and parents may not be able to work, they say.

“We are facing a catastrophic collapse of the child care system in this province,” said Andrea Calver of the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care.

“With the loss of those subsidies, centres will have to lay off staff, parent fees will have to rise and many programs will be forced close,” she said Monday.

Premier Dalton McGuinty blamed Ottawa as he faced a grilling on the issue in the Legislature Monday.

“Will he commit to keeping those child care spaces open or is he telling mothers and fathers across the province to quit their jobs and stay home with their kids?” asked NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.

via www.thestar.com