Media Release: The NDP forced the Liberals to deliver affordable, accessible, quality child care for Canadian families

As C-35 — a National Child Care Program — passes through third reading in the House of Commons, NDP critic for Families, Children and Social Development Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre) issued the following statement:

“For decades, parents across Canada have had to scramble to find child care that suits their needs and that won’t break the bank.

After almost thirty years of broken Liberal promises, it took the dedication and relentless efforts of child care workers, advocates and New Democrats to push them to finally deliver a National Child Care program.

Left on their own, the Liberals would have delayed the National Child Care program even further. And Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives have a track record of opposing affordable child care for Canadians.

Thanks to the NDP’s pressure through the Confidence and Supply Agreement and child care advocates' tireless work, a National Child Care Program will include long-term federal funding for provinces and Indigenous peoples to deliver affordable, accessible, inclusive and quality child care that families deserve.

June 19th, 2023

The NDP forced the Liberals to deliver affordable, accessible, quality child care for Canadian families

As C-35 — a National Child Care Program — passes through third reading in the House of Commons, NDP critic for Families, Children and Social Development Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre) issued the following statement:

“For decades, parents across Canada have had to scramble to find child care that suits their needs and that won’t break the bank.

After almost thirty years of broken Liberal promises, it took the dedication and relentless efforts of child care workers, advocates and New Democrats to push them to finally deliver a National Child Care program.

Left on their own, the Liberals would have delayed the National Child Care program even further. And Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives have a track record of opposing affordable child care for Canadians.

Thanks to the NDP’s pressure through the Confidence and Supply Agreement and child care advocates' tireless work, a National Child Care Program will include long-term federal funding for provinces and Indigenous peoples to deliver affordable, accessible, inclusive and quality child care that families deserve.

The NDP worked to ensure that the government delivers a program that:

• Upholds the right of Indigenous peoples to free, prior and informed consent in matters concerning their children.
• Acknowledges how decent working conditions support better learning conditions.
• Ensures more transparency regarding government investments in child care.
• Prioritizes public and not-for-profit child care providers to ensure affordable and quality services for families—not put more money in the pockets of for-profit daycares.
Families across the country deserve nothing less. New Democrats never gave up. We always believed this is possible — we fought for you and for your family, and delivered. It’s what we do.
We will never back down when it comes to making life better for you and your family.”

Latest posts

City TV NEWS: Rally outside Vancouver college protests sudden termination of key English program

Dozens of students and instructors gathered at Vancouver Community College (VCC) Tuesday to protest the unexpected shutdown of the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program.

LINC, which has helped thousands of immigrants learn English, secure jobs, and work toward citizenship, is set to be terminated at the end of March due to federal funding cuts.

The move has left over 800 students without a clear path forward and more than 30 instructors without jobs.

“We found out just before winter break, and this was the first opportunity to get people together to raise spirits, because people have been really down.” said Frank Cosco, president of the VCC Faculty Association.

Toronto Star NEWS: ‘An ordeal that doesn’t end’: Lost Canadians’ citizenship at risk with Parliament suspended

If Ottawa lets the deadline lapse and the two-generation cut-off is thus voided, affected lost Canadians could just come reclaim their citizenship. If the court cuts the government some slack and grants another extension in light of the circumstances, the uncertainty will continue.

“During that extension period, we could very well be in an election, in which case, no bills could be passed,” said MP Jenny Kwan, immigration critic of the opposition NDP, and a staunch supporter of the bill.

Media Statement: In Response to the Hong Kong Government’s Issuance of a Wanted List for Overseas Pro-Democracy Activists

I call on the Canadian government to take urgent and decisive action to:

1. Strongly condemn the Hong Kong government’s NSL and the targeting of overseas activists, including Canadian citizens and residents, and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Hong Kong.

2. Impose targeted sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese officials responsible for human rights violations and the erosion of Hong Kong’s freedoms.

3. Stop according any special rights or diplomatic status to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade offices in Canada.

4. Expedite the processing of PR application for Hong Kongers fleeing political persecution and to automatically renew their work and study permit in the meantime.