Note: This page contains outdated content and may not appear correctly.
Please Click Here to find recent news, events and information from CUPE Ontario.

TORONTO, Ont. – Including $63.5 million to fill the gap caused by lost federal funding for child care is the right decision for children, families and the Ontario economy, said Fred Hahn, the president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario in response to media reports that the dollars will be announced in Thursday’s provincial budget.

“This decision sends a message to municipalities that child care centres slated for closure should get a reprieve and be kept open,”  said Fred Hahn. “I’m thrilled that this child care money will be in the budget and I hope municipalities, like Windsor, get the message: “Here’s the money—now don’t close our day cares!”

Hahn credited parents across Ontario who have worked tirelessly in recent months lobbying the government to include child care funding in the spring budget.

The CUPE Ontario President said the Liberal government deserves credit for listening to parents and child care advocates. “This funding will demonstrate a commitment to implementing the full Pascal Report, which recommends a fully funded, public early learning program for Ontario’s families.”

We will also continue to pressure the federal government to make its own commitment to early learning and care for Canada’s families, Hahn added. 

CUPE is the largest union in Ontario with 230,000 members including many who work in child care.

-30-

For information, please contact:

Chris Watson     CUPE Communications                  416-553-9410  

To find out more about the Ontario Kids First campaign, click here.