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CUPE National President Paul Moist, has written directly to Prime Minister Stephen Harper urging sober second thought on the threatened cancellation of child care agreements with the provinces.

 

These agreements give the provinces the resources they desperately need to assist all parents with their child care needs, whether those parents work in or outside the formal labour force,” Moist said in a letter sent Feb. 9.

 

Canadians need and want a national early learning and child care system. The income support for families that you have promised is also needed. However, it cannot replace child care services aimed at supporting children and families.”

 

Referring to the prime minister’s announcement that he intends to scrap federal-provincial agreements signed by the Liberal government, Moist adds, “We are alarmed at this move, particularly since you promised a responsive and accountable federal government.”

 

Moist has also written to all provincial premiers urging them to work with other provincial governments to pressure the federal government to reconsider its position.

Full text of the letter follows:

 

 

February 9, 2006

 

 

The Honourable Stephen J. Harper

Prime Minister of Canada

House of Commons

Ottawa, Ontario

K1A 0A6

 

Dear Prime Minister Harper:

 

On behalf of the 550,000 members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, I offer my congratulations on your election as Prime Minister of Canada.  As Canada’s largest union, representing one in 60 Canadians, we look forward to a constructive relationship with your new government.

 

I am writing to you today to express our grave concern about your announcement on February 6, that you will be cancelling the federal early learning and child care agreements with all 10 of the provinces.  As you know, these agreements are an important starting point for  a national child care program that will give Canadian children and parents the support they need to remain healthy and productive.  These agreements give the provinces the resources they desperately need to assist all parents with their child care needs, whether those parents  work in or outside the formal labour force. 

 

To unilaterally terminate the agreements as your first act in office (prior to the opening of the newly-elected Parliament) signals to us, and to all Canadians, that you are acting without full and proper consultation with the House of Commons, or  the provincial governments.  We are alarmed at this move, particularly since you promised a responsive and accountable federal government.

 

Canadians need and want a national early learning and child  care system.  The income support for families that you have promised is also needed.  However, it cannot replace child care services aimed at supporting children and  families.  CUPE will be mobilizing our members and Canadian parents to    appeal to you not to move so quickly on this issue.

 

Families all across Canada and the new House of Commons deserve a chance to have our say on the future of child care in Canada.  Please remember that the majority of Canadians voted for political parties that support a national child care program and the federal-provincial agreements.

 

Sincerely,

 

PAUL MOIST

National President

 

c.c:       C. Généreux; Gilles Duceppe; Bill Graham; Jack Layton

 

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