The following Motion was passed on April 7. 2009 at a regular City of Vancouver Council meeting.
MOTION ON NOTICE
1. Renewing the Childcare Agenda
At the Regular Council meeting on March 24, 2009, Councillor Louie submitted the
following motion. Councillor Anton called Notice under Section 10.3(d) of the
Procedure By-law.
MOVER: Councillor Raymond Louie
SECONDER: Mayor Gregor Robertson
WHEREAS accessible, affordable and quality childcare is essential to the health
and well-being of the city of Vancouver’s children and families;
AND WHEREAS child development and childcare play a crucial role in the
economic stability of our city;
AND WHEREAS it is critical that all levels of government, including those at the
local level, and the private sector take an active partnership in ensuring
successful child development opportunities;
AND WHEREAS the current Early Childhood Development Memorandum of
Understanding lays out a framework for collaboration between the many
partners in child development that supports coordinated actions on specific
policy such as a joint council on childcare;
AND WHEREAS the establishment of a joint council and protocol on childcare
between the Council, School Board and Park Board let to the creation of more
than 600 new childcare spaces between 2002 and 2005, exceeding the original
goal of a 5% increase;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
THAT Council direct staff to reinstate the Joint Council on Childcare and renew
its goals, and previously adopted Terms of Reference, along with an objective
of a further 5% increase, at a minimum, in childcare spaces in the next three
years;
FURTHER THAT Council direct staff to undertake a supply and demand review
of infant, toddler, 3-5 year old and out of school care spaces, and disaggregate
the data by neighbourhood; and
FURTHER THAT costs and revenue sources for implementing a universal
approach to a sustainable Childcare Endowment Reserve be confirmed,
including the development of eligibility criteria, consultation with stakeholders
and identifying alternative mechanisms to enhance this Fund.
notice
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Video of the debate on this Motion can be found HERE.