CUPE Saskatchewan and Child Care Now have kicked off a series of public child care townhalls focused on the future of child care in Saskatchewan.
The first townhall was held September 16 in Moose Jaw. Speakers included Kent Peterson, president of CUPE Saskatchewan, Cara Werner, chair of Child Care Now Saskatchewan, and Joan Pratchler, Shadow Minister for Early Learning and Child Care.
Peterson spoke about the economic impact of the Sask. Party’s July 1 child care cuts.
“When families can afford child care, parents can work. Employers can retain staff. Communities can thrive and grow. But when child care becomes harder to find or too expensive to afford, the consequences ripple throughout the economy,” said Peterson.
Werner outlined several consequences of the cuts, including increased fees for parents, grant funding being limited to licensed spaces, the end of tuition-free training for ECE II and III, and the rollback of space expansion.
“These aren’t simply administrative changes,” said Werner. “They affect the financial stability of centres, access for families, and the future of our workforce.”
Peterson said the effects of child care cuts extend far beyond families with young children.
“When child care works, our economy works, but when child care is cut, everyone feels the impact,” said Peterson. “Whether or not you have children, these cuts affect you. They affect the businesses you rely on, the services you use, and the strength of the communities where we live and work.”
CUPE Saskatchewan and Child Care Now are inviting families, child care workers, providers, and community members to attend one of the upcoming townhalls.
Regina
When: Monday, September 28, 7 – 8 p.m.
Where: Regina Humane Society, Classroom 2, 4900 Parliament Avenue
Yorkton
When: Thursday, October 1, 7 – 8 p.m.
Where: St. Andrew’s United Church, Upper Hall, 29 Smith Street East
Prince Albert
When: Thursday, October 8, 7 – 8 p.m.
Where: Prince Albert Public Library, Meeting Room 3, 125 12 Street East
For more information and to stay in the loop, visit cupesask.ca/childcare and saskatchewan.childcarenow.ca.
CUPE is Saskatchewan’s child care union, representing over 300 workers in the province and over 12,000 across Canada. skchildcareunion.ca