FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2022
VANCOUVER — ABC Vancouver announced today that an ABC majority on Council would deliver 5,000 new childcare spaces over the first four years of an ABC-led City Hall.
“Today’s announcement to deliver 5,000 new childcare spaces will offer much-needed support for parents across Vancouver,” said ABC Councillor Lisa Dominato. “This plan we’re announcing today uses every tool at Council’s disposal to support and encourage the creation of a significant number of new childcare spaces.”
The ABC childcare plan includes pledges to harmonize childcare policy between municipal and Provincial governments, help childcare providers become compliant through the licensing process, make additional city land available for childcare facilities, and direct permit fees toward creating new spaces.
“At a time when many families across Vancouver are struggling to make ends meet, it’s important that we are focused on helping make life easier,” continued Dominato. “An investment in quality childcare is an investment in children, families, and the local economy.”
According to the Vancouver Sun, the City of Vancouver is currently facing a 17,000 childcare space shortfall.
“It’s important that we have enough childcare spaces to keep pace with the growing needs of families in our city,” continued Dominato. “Finding quality childcare is often one of the biggest and most stressful task families face; an ABC-led City Hall will work with the Provincial and Federal government to make this easier and secure additional resources.”
The plan also includes a commitment to work with an ABC majority on School Board to ensure that newly constructed schools in the City of Vancouver accommodate childcare facilities.
“Our city needs leadership that is focused on bringing people together to address the issues we see today,” concluded Dominato. “A collaborative approach will ensure that we can make meaningful progress on childcare.”
ABC Councillors met with the Minister of State for Childcare earlier this week at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention.
ABC Vancouver has nominated nineteen candidates for the October 15th municipal elections; Ken Sim for Mayor; Lenny Zhou, Peter Meiszner, Brian Montague, Mike Klassen, and incumbent City Councillors Rebecca Bligh, Lisa Dominato, and Sarah Kirby-Yung for Council; Brennan Bastyovanszky, Laura Christensen, Angela Haer, Marie-Claire Howard, Scott Jensen, and Jas Virdi for Park Board; Alfred Chien, Preeti Faridkot, Victoria Jung, Christopher Richardson, and Josh Zhang for School Board.
ABC Vancouver is the only party in the Vancouver municipal elections running to win majorities on Council, Park Board, and School Board.
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Media Contact:
Taylor Verrall
taylor@abcvancouver.ca | 604-968-3067