TORONTO - The open letter calling on federal leaders to commit to a national early childhood education and child care program sent by the Child Care Advocacy Association Of Canada is right on the mark, says New Democrat MP Olivia Chow (Trinity-Spadina).

“They are absolutely right that we need to go for the gold for Canada’s children. That’s why New Democrats have called for the next session of Parliament to be the Women and Children First session,” says Chow, the Party’s Child care and Children critic. “New Democrats have called for the legislation and funding to establish a quality, universal, accessible, national not-for-profit early learning and child care program.”

The Conservatives immediately cancelled the child care agreements with the provinces when they came to power in 2006 and replaced them with a meagre $100 per month “child care allowance” that is clawed back in taxes from most families. The Liberals are no better, having promised child care in every election since 1993, but never got it done.

New Democrats remain steadfast in their belief that quality early learning and child care is one of the most significant factors in positive long-term child development. Last week, big business agreed with New Democrats, as the Canadian Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution that calls on the federal government to "fund and assist in the development of a provincially-delivered effective early childhood development program."

“I join the Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada in calling for a commitment from the government and other opposition parties,” says Chow “New Democrats will not waiver in our commitment to a national early childhood education and child care program.”