NDP leader Ryan Meili says two Regina childcare centres have temporarily closed their doors because of COVID-19. A letter was sent out by the YMCA in Regina that a family at one of their centres is being tested for COVID-19 so they are shutting down two of their centres in Regina.

He is now calling for the closure of all childcare centres in the province. Meili also believes the closure of only childcare centres attached to schools has caused confusion across the sector.

The government repurposed those child care centres for the use of front line workers deemed essential who must work and can’t be at home.

He also says there need to be childcare solutions for essential workers that doesn’t involve grouping those workers kids together in significant numbers.

To that end the Opposition NDP wants to see the immediate closure of all childcare centres and the provision of in-home of very small group care for the children of essential workers. The party recommends provincial grants to childcare centres to ensure operators cover expenses and pay staff while closed without charging parents fees. Assurance that no parent will lose their child’s space. And finally, a provincial wage top-up to childcare workers who are redeployed to care for the children of essential workers.