New child care spaces ahead for Haida Gwaii and coastal communities; no word yet on plans for Prince Rupert

MLA Jennifer Rice had some welcome news for three North Coast communities
through a BC Government Child Care funding announcement from Monday 

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice shared some positive news for parents on Haida Gwaii and coastal communities of the region on Monday, highlighting the roll out of a funding program to build thousands of child care spaces across the province, with 103 projects planned to increase child care options to 3,800 spaces.

The  total investment of 33 million dollars is destined to support 52 communities and will provide capital funding supports for non-profit and private child-care assistance in the following areas:

Build a new child-care facility, including the cost of buying land or a building. 

Purchase and assemble a modular building and develop a site. 

Renovate an existing building. 

Buy eligible equipment (including playground equipment) and furnishings as part of the new build or renovation.

The North Coast, Central Coast and Haida Gwaii region will see 72 Child care spaces created out of Monday's announcement:

For Haida Gwaii, the funding will see SD50 receive $265,000 for 20 multi-age spaces at the Tahayghen School Child Care Centre in Masset.

Kitkalta will also receive funding to the amount of $500,000 to create 24 paces at Gitxaala Daycare

The Central Coast School District will also see a financial contribution of $415,698 for 28 spaces at the Hagensborg Daycare Centre.

Other locations or First nations in the Northwest to receive funding include:

The Haisla who will receive $374,950 for their program

Kitimat's Child Development Centre will receive $197,268 for their Stepping Stones Day Care Centre.

You can review some background for the program as well as the full list of successful candidates for funding from across the province here.

There is no indication from the Monday announcement if Prince Rupert will be receiving funding for child care provision from any updates to the the current program roll out, or if there will be future funding made available for the community to be put towards Child Care in the region.

A short notice on the MLA's Facebook page does suggest that the announcement of Monday is just the start, an advisory that those living in other areas of the North Coast will no doubt be watching for further updates on.

For more items on provincial government issues see our Legislature Archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review