It's Baaaack......yippee.

[cfred]

I was surprised as anyone about the Liberals getting back in. To insinuate that other providers didn't vote appropriately isn't really fair. We really didn't have a chance against the public sector. There are lots of us, but not enough to throw the balance off by that much. Unless every single provider went out and voted PC, I'm not sure we had a chance at all. It's a moot point anyway. What's done is done. All we can do is carry on and see what action we can take now.

Madmom, I understand your concerns. We're all in the same boat. My family wholly depends on my income from the daycare. I am a single parent to 3 and this is our only source of income. We all have a lot at stake here. The Liberals have won, so our best avenue to block the bill is lost. I cried about it...in front of a client I might add! But, being strong people, we must carry on and see what we can do next. It seems to me, that if you're that worried about the stability of your profession/business, this is the next best option. Surely it's more productive than worrying but doing nothing. Sitting and complaining will gain us nothing. Action might. We are not talking about going on strike and leaving everyone high and dry. This is not a hostile protest. It is simply all providers meeting at Queen's Park and making ourselves visible to the public in a positive, proactive way with a unified, cohesive message. What is the absolute worst that can happen? If your clients are already bailing for daycare centres, what difference is this going to make?

So far as other concerns about annoying the parents and encouraging them to leave to larger facilities...really? I've spoken to my clients and they're all on board. They may not go to Queen's Park (though some will), but they value what we do and are willing to support me. Give your clients a chance to understand the concerns for the industry and let them see your passion for it and they might just surprise you! All the public has seen of our cause so far is the fractured messages and whining that we've all been seeing on various websites, including this one. The Coalition is working towards putting together a list of points based on the CCPRN recommendations as our core message...1 message that we can deliver as a group. In a public gathering on Queen's Park, we will have media present so we can relay that singular message to the public in a cohesive, articulate manner as a united front. We have NEVER even had a shot at this before...ever!

I've just spoken to Heidi now and it is every provider meeting on the same day, at the same time, with the same message in a designated spot in each city. This is great! Not a daunting trip now! Please, please consider coming on board with this project. We actually might be heard this time. OH...she also told me that, unbeknownst to any of us, politicians are not obligated to read email letters from the public, but they are for mailed letters. At least that's what I understood. Soooo, my clients will all be met with a pre stamped envelope for each MPP Next week, I'll be emailing CP24 by the request of another provider and will set up an appointment to meet with the PC MPP of our region. This project requires the participation of all of us to work!