Whereas recent provincial housing legislation, specifically Bills 44 and 47, will mean increased population growth leading to greater need for child care spaces; And whereas barriers to accessing provincial funding exist for local governments and the private sector: Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM call upon the Province of British Columbia to review its funding model and work with local governments and the private development sector to streamline its process for the disbursement of provincial funds to facilitate the construction of new public or non-profit owned child care facilities, including facilities within new private development.
Ministry of Education and Child Care Since the introduction of the ChildCareBC plan in 2018, the Province is building a future where access to affordable, quality, inclusive child care is a core service that families can rely on. We will continue to build on our promise to create more affordable spaces for families while also ensuring we have the child care professionals to staff them. The ministry uses feedback and insights from each New Spaces Fund intake period to improve the program and update its policies. Additionally, program policies are reviewed against updated Minister mandate commitments to ensure alignment. While the Province is focused on expanding access through public and not-for-profit infrastructure, which is in line with provincial priorities and commitments under the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, we continue to support families in having a choice by providing operational funding for all types of child care providers including private providers. The Province will continue to leverage opportunities to create new child care spaces when building a new school, hospital or other capital project, through ministries such as Infrastructure, Post-Secondary and Future Skills, Transportation and Transport, and Housing and Municipal Affairs and through partnering with public-sector partners such as health authorities, public post-secondary institutions and housing projects. The Province will also support the development and expansion of licensed child care facilities focused on community investments that are long-term and run by public and not-for-profit organizations, including supporting organizations with child care planning and design. The Ministry of Education and Child Care will continue to work with school districts to expand before- and after-school care programs throughout the province using cost-effective models for parents and the public that leverage existing school facilities and education workers.