Daycare dilemma: Private operators say 'socialist takeover' will drive most out of business
Daycare operators in Nova Scotia say the rush to $10/day childcare in five years may end up putting some out of business a lot sooner than that.
The province has offered childcare operators three options under the new model, options that some say are not economically feasible.
They also say it's the kind of move you wouldn't expect in a democratic country.
"It's a socialist takeover of businesses, mainly and predominantly owned by women,” says Chris Morash, owner of Beech Tree Academy in Beechville, N.S.
"The government is presenting it as an opportunity for people to get $10 a day daycare, but in the meantime, they have thrown the baby out with the bathwater."
In a joint federal announcement last week, the province moved to cut childcare fees by 25 per cent, an early move in a race to slash daycare costs to $10 a day in the next five years.
“It's historic. The impact will be felt for generations,” said Premier Tim Houston, at the virtual event last week.
However, some Nova Scotia operators say they've been left behind in the rush, given a tight deadline to choose between three options: stay private, become non-profit, or opt out and lose their subsidies, all of which will essentially drive them out of business.
"They're giving us a deadline of March 18 to sign agreements that would basically give them full access to our private centres,” says Donna Buckland, owner and director of Giant Steps Children's Centre, adding operators have always supported affordable childcare.
“The $10 a day daycare is something that I’ve been looking forward to my whole career. Affordable, accessible childcare for this country is just amazing, and I think it’s the direction we need to go in, as well as a compensation package for early childhood educators."
According to Buckland, some Nova Scotia childcare businesses were built over generations.
"Basically, what we're telling our parents is we just need more information and we need more time in order to make a decision that's going to mean that we're not going close our doors. Because the three options that they've given us to date are not acceptable and many operators will close their doors if we don't see a change," says Buckland.
Although the government inherited the deal from the Rankin Liberals, Nova Scotia Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Becky Druhan says her department has been negotiating with operators, and will continue to do so.
"We want to see them all involved in the future system we're building,” says Druhan. "There are many, many options available to them."
In a series of meetings, including one on Sunday, about 200 operators say they're joining forces and will refuse to sign the deal.
Acknowledging that the province has provided operators funding to discuss the matter with lawyers, accountants and financial advisors, Buckland says the nationalization of the industry goes even further than socialism.
"When I emailed my accountant, he basically said, ‘I can’t believe they’re trying to do this. This is communism,'" Buckland says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.