Posted this morning on FB -

"Providers it's obvious by this latest round of child care announcements that the Liberals are still not listening.

The funding they have announced looks rosy but it's unsustainable, we'll be right back here when the money runs out. The Liberals are trying desperately to win votes by spreading around money that Ontario doesn't have. It's time for us to take matters into our own hands again.

We've all heard the old adage "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" well..the PC government is gaining momentum and popularity, we need to tap into that. The Progressive Conservatives are the official opposition in the legislature. Patrick Brown, the party leader is also the education critic, if we help him see our side of things he will have ammunition to hold the Libs accountable.
We need to let him know how important the child care issue is going to become in this next year before the election. This is what we’re up against:
“Child care advocates" (read licensed sector advocates) have the Liberals ear, these are the same people who advocate for independent providers to only be allowed to care for 3 children, including their own under 6. https://www.thestar.com/…/advocates-...icensing-of-h…
The MOE has written regulations in the CCEYA absolving themselves of all responsibility if they fail at their jobs.

They have mandated that ICPs disclose their independence to disavow us.
They have revoked the clause excluding a provider’s own school aged child - which they can enforce at the drop of a hat, without notice.
They have allowed themselves to be cowed by the SMALLEST contingent of the child care industry.

Most of these advocates are people working with paper, in offices, doing research. While research is valuable, we are in the trenches, dealing with the day-to-day of parental needs. We know what parents are looking for in our cities, towns and rural communities.

We need to share that knowledge with someone who can DO something to affect the changes needed to make child care work effectively for Ontario.
Please take a moment to send Patrick Brown an email or postage free paper letter sharing your concerns. If you're not sure what to say CICPO has a letter template that you can use."

The letter templates for both Providers and Parents are below. This will only take a couple minutes and will spur things on. We have been advised from the PC policy advisors and Gila Martow (MPP and Critic for Youth, Children, Families) that this is the appropriate course of action to substantiate their support of our sector and move things along.

Please email to the following -

patrick.brownco@pc.o la.org

gila.martow@pc.ola.o rg

Cicpoottawa@gmail.co m (we're keeping track of submissions)

Please note that participating in this does NOT come with the expectation of a PC vote in the next election. This is a means to have our sector brought to the forefront again by people with the power to do it.