The Saskatchewan NDP is calling on the province to sign on to the national child care strategy.

NDP Leader Ryan Meili says a child care plan is a jobs plan, and the more the province invests in increased spaces and jobs in the child care system, the more families can get back to work building Saskatchewan’s recovery.  Meili also called for the immediate establishment of a working group of child care experts, providers and families to improve early learning and child care in the province, from the bottom up.  He says the group would address needs like recruiting and retaining staff, adequate wages for workers and replacing the existing subsidy.

The NDP claim the Sask. Party has the worst child care system in the country and the least regulated child care spaces for children under the age of 12, among all province and territories.  NDP Critic for Education and Early Leaning Carla Beck noted Premier Scott Moe had already submitted a child care plan to the federal government, and called on Minister of Education Dustin Duncan to release that submission.

In a written response Minister Duncan says the Government continues to negotiate with the federal government on a child care deal that creates high quality, affordable and inclusive child care options for parents and families.  A proposal has been submitted to Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen that he says meets all of the Federal governments objectives while providing flexibility and choice for Saskatchewan families.  The province looks forward to receiving approval on Saskatchewan’s plan.

The NDP state other provinces have been quick to sign up for the national childcare strategy, with B.C and Nova Scotia committing to implementing a $10 a day system, along with thousands of more child care spaces.