Stroller Brigades want attention on child care across B.C.

KAMLOOPS – In 20 cities across B.C., mothers, fathers, childcare providers, and guardians will partake in the Stroller Brigade in an effort to increase visibility and political focus on issues parents face trying to find and afford childcare.

On Saturday, Oct. 5, marches in Kamloops, Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton and other communities will see streets and parks filled with strollers, signs, and families coming together to voice their support for reliable, accessible, and affordable childcare. It will also highlight the importance of fair wages and working conditions for early childhood educators. The events hope to bring the importance of affordable childcare to the attention of local MP candidates and highlight the importance of protecting and increasing federal funding for childcare initiatives.

The event in Vernon will run from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., and the group will meet at Polson Park at 2600 Highway 6.

For those wanting to participate in the Kelowna event, you can meet at the Parkinson Recreation Centre at 1800 Parkinson Way, and take part from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

The Stroller Brigade in Penticton will take place at Lakawanna Park at 796 Lakeshore Drive West. The event will begin at 10 a.m. and run for an hour.

The Kamloops event will run for a bit longer than the others, starting at 10 a.m. and lasting until noon. Participants can meet at McArthur Island Park and will go for a stroll around the island.

The marches are supported by the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of B.C., Early Childhood Educators of B.C., the $10 A Day campaign, and the Waitlisted Project.

The $10 A Day campaign aims to have full-time childcare available to B.C. families for $10 a day. This march hopes to highlight the importance of that plan, and encourage politicians to focus their attention on the issue.

The B.C. government is investing $60 million into the childcare industry as a part of the Early Learning and Child Care Agreement with the federal government. 50 childcare spaces are being tested as a prototype for affordable childcare spaces, with families paying a maximum of $200 a month for full and part-time childcare. Some of the lower-income families could even get free childcare if applicable. The prototype projects started in November, 2018 and will remain in place until March, 2020. The Stroller Brigades hopes to highlight the importance of continuing to focus on and provide funding for accessible, affordable childcare for all families across the province.

Other cities participating include Vancouver, Victoria, Nelson, Squamish, Port Alberni, Terrace, among others. If you want to organize an event in your city, you can connect with organizers by clicking here.

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