The City of Vancouver has announced it will use a $5 million surplus to create hundreds of new childcare spaces.
The money will be invested in the city’s Childcare Reserve. The fund helps families pay for infant and toddler daycare, which can cost around $1,100 a month. The city also facilitates the creation of new daycare spaces through its Joint Childcare Council, which works with private and non-profit childcare providers.
From 2009 to 2011, 453 new spaces were created in the city. The Joint Childcare Council plans to open another 500 spots in Vancouver by 2014.
The $5 million is the largest one-time increase for childcare in the city’s history.
Councillor Andrea Reimer said being proactive could help the city lobby for a more comprehensive childcare program from provincial or federal levels of government.
“If we’re going to the federal or provincial government looking for support, it’s going to be a much more difficult case if we’re not doing everything we can on our side,” said Reimer.
The city, which can contribute funds through taxes or amenity contributions from new development, has worked with the parks board and school board to find space in community centres and schools for daycare.
“We are committed to investing in childcare as a way to make Vancouver more affordable for young families and improve early childhood education,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson.
“At a time when demand for childcare far outstrips supply due to a lack of funding from senior levels of government, the city is stepping up to help make Vancouver a more supportive city for families and children.”
In February, the Burnaby and Surrey Boards of Trade announced they would partner to lobby for better childcare, saying that business pays a price when employees with children can’t find adequate or affordable care.
