A recent report by Saskatchewan’s Auditor General reveals serious shortcomings in the province’s child care strategy. The report confirms what families and workers already know: Saskatchewan is falling behind on its commitments, and the current approach is not working.
“The government is inflating numbers while families are stuck in child care deserts,” said Kent Peterson, president of CUPE Saskatchewan. “The Auditor General’s report confirms the shocking reality that the Government of Saskatchewan doesn’t even track how many approved child care spaces are actually being used and has no clue if there are enough workers to staff them.”
CUPE Saskatchewan is calling for a fully public and non-profit child care system backed by sustainable funding and urges the provincial government to eliminate the for-profit child care from its expansion plans and invest in a system that is affordable, accessible, and accountable.
“Instead of opening the door to private profits, the government should use funding to ensure operators have adequate and reliable resources,” added Peterson. “Child care exists to support children and communities, not private gain. Every dollar should go toward improving care and supporting workers – not into private profits.”
CUPE is Saskatchewan’s child care union, representing more than 300 child care workers in the province and over 12,000 across the country.
/n.m.cope342