During the recent election, I asked a few times about the existing Federal child care funding and thought I was told that it would remain in place, though conservative voices were pretty quiet on the point. It now seems will not remain in place and certain folk are already unhappy:
Quebec Premier Jean Charest has asked Mr. Harper to abide by the agreement that was signed with his province, saying that the new government is welcome to give families $1,200 per child as long as those payments do not undermine the existing deal. "I expect Mr. Harper to respect the agreement that we have signed with the federal government. If Mr. Harper chooses to do more, that will be his decision," Mr. Charest said at a news conference.Prediction #1 if Harper tries to reneg on the agreements saying he made it an issue in the election when he did not: total Federalist support in Quebec hits 30% by 2007.
Comments
Don - February 2, 2006 12:25 pm
Harper said numerous times that the one year child care funding agreements would not be renewed.
Alan - February 2, 2006 1:41 pm
Not quite in the campaign literature as is obviopus from Charest's comment.
Don - February 2, 2006 2:31 pm
I don't see the issue.
There is an agreement - I understand it runs 1 year. Charest doesn't say it runs more than that.
From the platform:<blockquote class="smalltext">
A Conservative government will:<ul><li>Provide all families a new $1,200 per year Choice in Child Care Allowance for each child under six, to be taxable in the hands of the spouse with the lower income, starting in 2006. This will be in addition to the current Canada Child Tax Benefits, National Child Benefit Supplement, and the Childcare Expenses Deduction. The Choice in Child Care Allowance will let parents choose the childcare option that best suits their family's needs.</li><p><li>Help employers and communities create child care spaces in the workplace or through cooperative or community associations by allocating $250 million a year in tax credits to employers who cover the full cost of creating spaces. We will provide similar support to non-profit associations to create spaces. We estimate that this program will create 125,000 new child care spaces over five years and make it easier for working people to juggle child care and work responsibilities. The program will be designed to ensure that small business and rural communities will be able to access it as well as larger employers and cities.</li><p><li>Honour the government's existing bilateral child care commitments for one year.</li></ul>
Alan - February 2, 2006 4:15 pm
The article linked above says:<blockquote class="smalltext">Joanne Crofford, Saskatchewan's Minister of Community Resources and Employment, said this week that the Conservative decision to cancel, after one year, bilateral child-care agreements with the provinces <b>that were worth a combined $4.8-billion over five years</b> will cause "huge" problems.</blockquote>Honouring the fist year of a five year agreement isn't honouring. If you think so, try it out when you lease a car. I'm sure it will work. Didn't the Grits break agreements from their first day in office? Maybe there is a way to satisfy yourself this is distinct.
Don - February 2, 2006 5:24 pm
If you look at the Sask agreement (and from what I see the others are of the same format):
http://www.sdc.gc.ca/en/cs/comm/sd/messages/2005/PCO_Saskatchewan_e.pdf<blockquote class="smalltext">5) Funding<p>
Saskatchewan and Canada agree that further investments in early learning and child care
should be incremental, predictable and sustained over the long term. New federal funding provided under this initiative is in addition to funds already committed under the previous Multilateral Framework on Early Learning and Child Care. The Government of Canada will transfer the following amounts to the Government of Saskatchewan, for the purpose of implementing its Five Year Action Plan:
Funding under existing ELCC Agreement (CST) ($M) New ELCC Funding ($M) Total ($M)<br>
2005-2006 $7.0 $22.0 $29.0<br>
2006-2007 $9.2 $20.0 $29.2<br>
2007-2008 $10.6 $35.0 $45.6<br>
2008-2009 $10.6 $35.0 $45.6<br>
2009-2010 $10.6 $34.0 $44.6<br>
The $22 million indicated for 2005 -06 is in recognition of amounts put in trust for Saskatchewan, which the province may draw in either 2004-05 or 2005-06. Saskatchewan will have the flexibility to draw down funds as they require up to the end of March 31, 2006. Following completion of an Action Plan, Saskatchewan and Canada will work together to conclude a detailed multi-year funding agreement by February 15, 2006 for the period 2006-2007 to 2009-2010. Exact per capita amounts are to be more fully defined in a detailed multi-year funding agreement. Parliament of Canada approval is required before federal funding is available and may be disbursed.</blockquote>What do you think?
Alan - February 2, 2006 6:19 pm
Oh-HO! Sneeky sneeksters. So why isn't <i>this</i> being discussed by anyone? And what about the term of the agreement to work together by 15 Feb. Are staff working at that or has the word gone out to stop it pending instructions from our new rural overlords?
Good investigative blogging, Don.