QUEEN'S PARK — Ontario NDP Shadow Minister for Child Care Teresa Armstrong (London—Fanshawe) blasted the Ford government's decision to freeze wages for early childhood educators (ECEs), and their admission that they're no closer to $10 a day child care.
"This is disgraceful," said Armstrong. "Minister Calandra's callous and heartless decision-making is dragging Ontario backwards. Freezing wages, and stubbornly refusing to give early childhood educators fair compensation will directly lead to longer waitlists, worse staffing shortages, and even more families who are unable to find care for their children.
"Ontario families are desperate for care that they can afford. The Ford government can shrug their shoulders and blame the federal Liberals all they like, but the Premier and his Minister are the only ones standing in the way of $10 a day child care.
"You can't build a strong Ontario without a strong child care program, and for that, you need to recruit and retain workers. This decision shows that the Ford government has no interest in either."