Hi Peacefulbird! You just jogged my memory that I completely forgot to respond to your last email, eons ago. I'm so sorry! I took a break from CICPO for several months and got busy with a renovation. Back in it now, it appears.

As long as the PCs just keep their heads down and don't f&^% up any more, we should be golden. There is no way the Liberals are getting back in. They are soooooo far behind. NDP would be equally catastrophic for us, but they're pretty far behind as well. I'd say if anyone's got a shot, it's them, but it's unlikely.

Also remember that the Liberals still don't have enough spaces created for their promise. This would take time. And imagine the quality? They did such a terrible job with FDK that Montessori enrollments are up. I had 2 families in my care alone who have opted for Montessori school instead of public. I've heard of loads more. But again....Libs are out.

On the upside, PCs have reached out to CICPO again and asked for our recommendations, data, etc. This is good! I launched a letter writing campaign a few minutes ago. Here's what we put out, if you want to share it around and get people to write in. The opposition needs to hear from us, our families, clients and friends. Nice to hear from you

The Liberals announced on Tuesday that 'free childcare for all' will be rolling out for children from ages 2.5 years until they start JK. The main focus is on centre based care in schools at a cost of approximately $3.8 000 000 000.00. In light of Ontario's current financial mess created by this same government, how many providers and families alike have concerns about this latest eleventh hour Hail Mary? Gila Martow (PC MPP and Critic for Children, Youth and Families) wants to hear from us - all of us. Please take a few minutes to write a letter to be forwarded to Ms. Martow (gila.martow@pc.ola. org) so she may bring our concerns to the PC campaign and Queen's Park. Please also send to PC candidates in your local areas. You can find their emails here - https://www.ontariopc.ca/our_candidates . Feel free to share this to other groups, families, friends. There will be a poll available on our main FB page so you may notify CICPO of your submission and submissions from friends and family. This will help us gauge public participation and impact.
( https://www.facebook.com/groups/CICPO/ )

Below are some concerns/discussion points for consideration:

* It's an obvious vote grab.
* With Ontario holding the highest debt in its history, is this something we can afford? Where is the money coming from?
* Could these funds be used more effectively, freeing some of it up for other high need areas (mental health, special needs, seniors, etc)?
* With such a robust supply of cost effective childcare being provided by the Independent Sector, why is the Liberal government choosing to focus on costly, centre based care rather than a less expensive direct licensing model or registry?
* Why is this only now an issue, just 3 months before an election?
* Severely limits parental choice.
* Is before and after school care also free? Why not?
* Why are my childcare fees only 'free' for 1.5 years?
* Young children in classroom environment for 10-12 hours every day.